Sammie Ellen Porter Leggett, 82, of Lometa died on March 22, 2022 at home.
A service will be held at First Baptist Church of Lometa on March 26 at 2 p.m., followed by visitation with the family. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas has charge of arrangements.
Sammie was born on Sept. 5, 1939 in Mills County, to Sam and Opal Hightower Porter.
She graduated as salutatorian from Lometa High School in 1957 where she was a cheerleader, played basketball and competed in barrel racing, reportedly “faster than the boys.”
She attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of Houston in 1961.
While at Baylor University, her roommate introduced Sammie to her cousin from Houston. Sammie married Ben Leggett of Houston on Nov. 28, 1958 in Lometa, and remained life-long friends with her college roommate.
Sammie was a teacher, a realtor and a Girl Scout leader in Houston. She loved to garden with vegetables and flowers.
Sammie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ben Leggett; her sister, Gloria Porter Smith; daughter, Lynn Leggett Kirchner of Houston, and son, Luhrel Leggett of Lometa; grandchildren Luke Leggett of Robinson, Eric Kirchner and wife Lauren of Houston, William Kirchner and wife Lindsey of Spring, and Wesley Leggett and wife Randa of Robinson; great-grandchildren Ainsley Leggett of Lorena, Jack Kirchner of Houston, Owen Kirchner of Houston, Sophia Kirchner of Spring, and Mason Leggett of Robinson.
Sammie was preceded in death by her brother, Wayne Porter, and her brother-in-law, David Rae Smith.
Memorials in Mrs. Leggett’s name may be made to the L-M Garden and Civic Club of Lometa. in 1964, he helped with rescue efforts after the largest recorded North American earthquake in Valdez where he and his team set up communications. While there, he had his photo published in Look, Life and National Geographic magazines.
After his time in the service, Chuck held several jobs and in 1990, he started driving trucks. He and his wife drove for 11 years. After this, they went to the Balkans, and he drove mail from Frankfurt, Germany to Macedonia, Greece for the troops there for a year.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Susan; children Teressa of Temple, and Billy and April of Copperas Cove; a brother, Art and his wife Betty of Austin; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nephews Hank of Lampasas and Tom of Norfolk, Virginia.
