Lela Cromwell Boatman

Lela Cromwell Boatman January 3, 1923 - April 20, 2010 On April 20, 2010, Lela Cromwell Boatman left this earthly life behind in San Antonio, TX, and went to be with her Heavenly Father. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with the Rev. Jack Mullins officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Lela was born January 3, 1923 in Granger, Texas to Jesse and Dora Cromwell, but the family soon moved to Waco where she grew up. Lela graduated from Waco High School and after WWII, married Ray H. Boatman, who preceded her in death in 1981. Lela and Ray made their home in Waco. Lela loved to work, and with her husband opened and operated several businesses in Waco. They established their first dry cleaning shop, Capitol Cleaners in 1954, and over the years they operated several dry cleaning shops including Zip, Vogue and Lake Air Cleaners. In later years Lela worked in retail sales at Cox’s Department Store. Lela and Ray were founding members of Lakewood Christian Church. Lela was serving as a greeter at Lakewood Christian when she moved to San Antonio to take up residence with her daughter’s family in 2000. Lela was a people person; she took pleasure in meeting and talking with everyone and “never met a stranger.” She especially enjoyed family reunions and Saturday night group poker games. She is survived by her two daughters, Charlotte Ransom and husband, Steve, and Dianna Green and husband, Terry; four grandchildren, Stephanie Green Hitchcock and husband, Mitchell, Ashley Green Shelton and husband, Andrew, Ashley Ransom and Joshua Ransom; and two great grandchildren, Ashton Shelton and Lela Hitchcock. We shall all miss her. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.