Freda Mae Leach

A celebration of life service for Freda Mae Leach will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at MMS-Payne Chapel. Burial will follow at Washington Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home on Monday, August 14, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm, with family receiving visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Freda passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. She was 76.

Freda was born on August 20, 1946, in Claremore, Oklahoma. She was the second child of Fred Frances and Ludy Marie (Reavis) Hilbert. She attended elementary school at Tiawah and transferred to Inola High, where she graduated with the class of 1964. Freda would later become certified in child and family counseling. 

Freda married Olen Ray Leach on September 19, 1966. They made their home and raised their children in Claremore. The couple relocated to Foyil, where she found great joy growing her vegetables and raising stock. After Olen passed, she moved to Glenpool to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Freda wore many hats throughout her life. She worked at Claremore Laundry & Dry Cleaning. She was the secretary and office manager for Claremore Wrecker & Transmission Services. She worked at Claremore Nursing Home, Mattie's Diner, Okie Dokie, and several other businesses. Freda was the Youth Director at Bethel Chapel and Cornerstone Churches, where Olen was the pastor. She developed a passion for cooking and serving others in the church. She opened and operated Foyil Country Café, where she enjoyed meeting and serving the community. Her most important role was being a mother. She cherished her family and would do anything she could to support and care for them. 

In her leisure time, Freda pursued interests that brought her joy. She loved fishing and camping in the great outdoors. She had a vibrant personality that endeared her to everyone she met. Freda never met a stranger and possessed an incredible kindness that extended to those who needed help. She was always available to lend an ear and offer sage advice. 

Freda is survived by her children: Michael Leach and wife Cheryl of Bixby, Pamela (Leach) Shelnut and husband Scott of Glenpool, Valjandra (Leach) Davis and husband Gary of Foyil, DuRonda (Leach) Tefft and husband Bill of Claremore, and Teresa (Leach) Pickup of Claremore; her 16 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and a few great-great-grandchildren; her sisters Ella Chasteen, Patricia Littlefield, Carolyn Lanier, and Kathern Warson; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. Freda is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Fred Frances Hilbert Jr.