Leslie Threadgill

Mary Leslie Farrell Threadgill, age 85, died peacefully at Trinity Personal Care Center in Columbus, MS, on February 14, 2016, surrounded b yher devoted family following a long period of dementia.  Services will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Annunciation Catholic Church with Fa ther Rob ert Dore officiating.  The interment will immediatelyfollow at the family plot at Friendship Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10:15 AM until the time of the service in the church atri um and f ollowing the graveside service at the family farm, Overlook, 2195 U.S. Highway 45South.

A native of Meridian, MS, Mrs. Threadgill was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Farrell.  She graduated from Meridian High School and Mississippi State College for Women, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in 1952.  While at MSCW she was a member of Lockhearts and Blacklist and was a dance student of Emma Ody Pohl.  She was a loyal supporter of MUW and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2006.  After her marriage in 1952 to William James Threadgill, an attorney, she made her home in Columbus, MS, where they raised their four children.

Mrs. Threadgill was a lifelong member of Columbus Junior Auxiliary and served as Regional Director of The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries.  She was a member of the Auxiliary's founding committee of Camp Rising Sun, a camp for children with cancer, now operated by the YMCA.  In addition, she served as a member of the Executive Board and on a wide range of committees.  She was a member of Magnolia Garden Club, Les Amie Study Club, and Town & Country Luncheon Club.

Mrs. Threadgill loved gardening and her family.  She especially loved hosting her four children, their spouses, and her ten grandchildren for Thanksgiving every year.  She also enjoyed summer vacations with her family in Colorado, Maine, and Point Clear, AL.

Pallbearers will be family friends who were frequent visitors in her home as teenagers, Chris Brigham, Randy Burris, Douglas Doster, Douglas Ford, Lane Harper, Kenny Heredia, Jim Landrum, and Hollis Peel.

Survivors include her husband, Bill, her husband of 64 years; daughter, Leslie Ballard and her husband Warner of Nashville, TN, and their children, Elizabeth and Harrison; sons, W. James Threadgill, Jr., and his wife Carol Palmer of Tupelo, MS, and their sons, Will and his wife Amy, and Charles Palmer; Burney F. Threadgill and his wife Lee Buford, of Jackson, MS, and their children Thomas, Sarah Dabney, and Aubrey; Timothy M. Threadgill and his wife Beth Lewis of Jackson, MS, and their children, Brittany Meade, Burney Lewis, and James Cannada; sister and brother-in-law, Coleta and Don Newton of Birmingham, AL.  Mrs. Threadgill was predeceased by her parents, her brother, John R. Farrell of Miami, FL, and her sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline Harrington and Dr. John N. Harrington of Columbus, MS.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Jennifer Lucas, Alice Chain, and Angie Bridgeman and their staff at Trinity Personal Care Center, and to caregivers Betty Armistad, Johnnie Harris, Rosie Taylor and  Claudia Baker for their warm and gentle care of Mrs. Threadgill, and to Stephanie Whitmire for her attentive care in recent weeks.

Remembrances may be made to The Leslie Farrell Threadgill Lecture and Artists Series Endowment, C/O MUW Foundation, Box W-1618, Columbus, MS, 39701, or Friends of Annunciation, 823 College St., Columbus, MS, 39701.

Memorial and Gunter & Peel Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.