Leatrice Weiss Pence

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Leatrice Weiss Pence, age 89, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, was called home and received her heavenly wings.  She was born January 22, 1934, in Belton, Texas to Otto Gus Weiss and Margaret Jane Burnham Weiss Kissman.  Her loving smile and laugh is already missed by so many, but we all know and are comforted that her Mansion in Heaven is her greatest reward.

Leatrice only had a 6 ^th grade education because she had to help out on the family farm picking cotton and doing chores while her parents worked.  At one point in her life, she became an accomplished electrician and would help family and friends with all their electrical needs.

Leatrice had many jobs throughout her life, but she loved serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  She was a member of the Pentecostals of Bastrop Church for many, many years and always loved helping with fundraising and whatever she could do to help the church.  She had many close friends who she loved serving alongside there.

After the passing of her husband, John William Pence, she moved to Bastrop in 1964 as a single mother and purchased a house where she raised Trevelyn, Earl and Edgar in a warm loving home.  It was uncommon for a single mother to be able to purchase a home in those days.  She tirelessly worked every day, picking up odd jobs, ironing for friends, and doing what she needed to do to maintain that home.

In the early 1970s, she got a job with Bill’s Dollar Store in downtown Bastrop.  Being a small town, it was the place where everyone shopped for clothing and wares.  She quickly became the manager of Bill’s Dollar Store, receiving numerous awards and achievements.  People would come in with little to no money, and she would allow them to pay when they were able to, and those people respected her so much they would always return to settle their debt.

In the early 1970s on a trip to Port Isabel, she purchased a rocking chair made out of a tin can incrusted with rhinestones and other shiny objects.  Knowing Leatrice, after studying how the rocking chair was made, she began collecting tin cans, Spam cans, old Levi Garrett Snuff cans, and began making her own furniture made out of tin.  She was able to complete collections of tin furniture consisting of coffee tables, foot stools, bedroom sets, and many more.  Some would be sold, but most were for friends and family members who still have her tin can furniture to this day.

Leatrice also loved to crochet and placed love in every loop and hitch.  She could crochet anything, and her face would light up when she saw how much you loved her work.  She used her work as special gifts of love during holidays and special occasions to give to her family.  She also enjoyed baking homemade bread, rolls and other delicious treats.

Leatrice received many awards in her career.  She worked 15 years as a cashier at the Walmart in Bastrop, and she would always have the longest line because people would love visiting with her while checking out because she always had the biggest smile and kindest words for them.  Prior to that, she worked at the Wash Shed in Bastrop and, again, folks loved visiting with her while they were there because she loved visiting with everyone.  Her favorite pastime was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leatrice was preceded in death by her parents Otto Gus Weiss and Margaret Jane Burnham Weiss Kissman, Belton; Husband John William Pence, Bryan; Son Edgar Eugene Pence, Bastrop; Grandson Andrew Thames, Bastrop; Brother John Weiss, Bastrop, and Sister Louise Weiss Dixon, Kovar.

Leatrice is survived by her daughter Trevelyn Thames, Bastrop; grandson Ernest Thames, Bastrop; great-grandchildren Layla and Elizabeth Thames; Grandson Terry Thames and wife Casey; great-grandchildren Blake, Taylor, Kaylee Thames, Alex Gamez, Elgin; Granddaughter Sherilyn Hanna and husband Josh, great-grandchildren Layton, Emmalynn, Barrett, Bastrop.

Leatrice is also survived by her son Earl Pence and wife Kim, Paige, Texas; granddaughter Jennifer Rocha and husband Jose M. Rocha, great-grandchildren Jose and Sofia, San Antonio; grandson Kyle Pence and wife Sarah, of Cedar Creek.

Leatrice is also survived by son Donald Polaski and Wife Kathy, granddaughter Michelle, Nevada; Son David Polaski and Susan (deceased) and great-grandchildren, Wisconsin.  Son Jerry Polaski and wife, Houston.  Daughters Margiret Lanhart and Renee Kern.

Leatrice is also survived by daughter Lindra Blum and husband Ricky, and family, College Station; Son Donald Carey and wife Leanna, Millican; Son Dennis Earl Carey and wife Carol, Lyons; and extended family in Millican, Texas.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Ridgeway Cemetery in Paige, Texas.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Pentecostals of Bastrop Church at 261 FM 20, Bastrop, Texas, at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pentecostals of Bastrop Church in the name of Leatrice Weiss Pence.