Bobette Milam Leggott

Bobette Milam Leggott December 27, 1929--December 24, 2015 A long standing member of the Waco community, Bobette Leggott, celebrated a divine home going with her Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 24, 2015, experiencing a wonderful reunion with her husband Bob Leggott, son Bobby, parents Bob and Dorothy Milam, and many family and friends who preceded her. Her service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco with Dr. Charles Dixon officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, prior to the service. Bobette Milam Leggott was born December 27, 1929 into a family of Texas pioneers. Her lineage includes "Old Ben Milam", who embodied the spirit of the great State of Texas with a passion for freedom while living in a place where anything was possible. Life started for Bobette in Paris, Texas during the first year of the Great Depression. Bobette began learning to channel her leadership skills as the Drum Major of her second grade "Toy Band". She always loved beauty and learning new things. Those skills led her on a life-long adventure of discovery. At Denison High School Bobette excelled in her studies graduating as the salutatorian of her class of 1946. While in high school Bobette was the soloist at her church as well as on the local radio station. She left for Baylor University at the ripe old age of 16 arriving to declare her major in communication. Socially she pledged the Athenian Club which cemented a life-long love of all things "Baylor" and formed long term relationships. Not long after entering Baylor she met the ruggedly handsome Bob Leggott from a long standing Waco family. After a whirlwind courtship they married in Denision, Texas, December 6, 1947. While living in Waco they began rearing three children and were active in many community affairs. Operating a family owned livestock auction, Bobette's support and work were invaluable in its success. Home, community and church were themes in Bobette's life. She and Bob were founding members of Lakeshore Baptist Church, which met for the first time in the family room of the Leggott's home. Bobette taught college Bible classes at Lakeshore and later at First Baptist Waco. Following a tragedy in their family, the loss of their one year old son, Bobby, Bobette developed a heart for those experiencing health challenges. This led her to serve on the Board of Directors of Central Texas Rehabilitation Center for several years. Bobette's home was the center for entertaining, including bridge clubs, study groups, and social events. She served her community by her investment in the Waco Historical Foundation, as a board member of East Terrace Historical Home, and as a member of the Waco Garden Club. In the 1980's the Athenians became Kappa Kappa Gamma at which time she served as its alumni president. Both Bob and Bobette were fixtures on the golf course. Her passion for excellence and perseverance led her to win Ridgewood Country Club Women's Golf Championship. They loved sports and Baylor University which led them to be members of the Bear Club. Bobette's passion for reading, learning and discovering led her to become a founding member of the Harston Study Club, serving as its president. After Bob's untimely death in 1984, Bobette turned to travel both domestically and abroad. She developed her love of beauty in nature by painting, interior design and feeding wild birds. With her love of animals, she adopted one of the very first dogs, a poodle named Beau from Fuzzy Friends of Waco. Her outgoing personality and desire to uplift the people around she continued at Lakeshore Estates and St Catherine Center where she sought to greet and encourage all staff and residents. Bobette embodied the best of the heart of Texas. A spirited, impassioned, lover of all that is best and beautiful, she invested herself in her community, church and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Leggott; her son, Bobby; and her parents, Bob and Dorothy Milam; and one sister, Dorothy Lee Snelus. She is survived by her daughter Corrie and son-in-law, Charles Dixon of Woodway; son, Chuck and daughter-in-law, Diane Leggott, of Clifton; granddaughters, Tresa Gamblin and husband, Kasey, of Woodway, Michelle Dixon of Westminster, CA, and Charla Dixon of Dallas. She also has one great grandson, Grayson Gamblin of Waco. Bobette is blessed with many nieces and nephews, a brother-in-law, D T Leggott; two sisters-in-law, Cecile Leggott and Mary Eleanor Marstaller; and many friends. Pallbearers are Kasey Gamblin, Joe Snelus, Paul Snelus, Bill Marstaller, Tom Leggott and J.D. Dornan. Honorary pallbearer is Dr. James Hodges. The family expresses warm blessings to her caregivers at Phoenix Care, St. Catherine Center, and Providence Hospice Place who provided loving care to her as well as to her family. The family requests that memorial be made to Fuzzy Friend Rescue Waco, Providence Hospice Place or charity of choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.