Leon Gaither

Mr. Leon Gaither, age 78 of Collierville, Tennessee passed away Sunday, September 14, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Gaither was born in Moscow, Tennessee November 16, 1935 to the late Marion Gaither and Estelle Leatherwood Gaither. In 1955, he was united in marriage to the former Sarah Ann Ballard, who preceded him in death in 1999. He was a retired operation manager and plant manager for Face Mate Corporation and was a founding member of the Piperton First United Methodist Church. He was also a volunteer fireman years ago in Collierville and served in the Tennessee National Guard.

Survivors include his son, Jeff Gaither and wife Dana of Collierville; daughters, Beth Boothe and husband Edwin of Durant, Oklahoma, and Suzie Wilson and husband Jimmy of Piperton; brothers, William "Woody" Gaither and wife Dot of Moscow, Maurice Gaither and wife Mildred of Water Valley, Mississippi, and Donald Watkins of Moscow; sisters, Dorothy Richardson and husband James of Oakland, Pauline Long and husband Jim of Rossville, and Pat Richardson and husband Ben of Oakland; grandchildren, Mandy Roaten and husband Todd, Andrew Carpenter, Laura Boothe Barrow and husband Scott, Jessica Boothe, Eddie Boothe, Kelsey Gaither, and Kendall Gaither; and great-grandchildren, McKenzie Roaten, Todd Roaten, Jr., Jake Roaten, Boothe Larkin, and Olivia Barrow.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Andrew "Andy" Gaither, who passed away in 1974; a brother, Cecil Gaither; and stepfather, Jessie Ed Watkins.

Donations made in memory of Mr. Gaither may be sent to the Piperton First United Methodist Church, 785 Highway 57 East, Piperton, Tennessee 38017.