Leota Ernestine Dougherty

We are heartbroken to share our beautiful mama, Leota Ernestine Dougherty of Visalia passed away on October 9th at French Hospital in San Luis Obispo. We will forever miss her beautiful smile full of love, kindness, and strength she had for our family and everyone she met throughout her life. Mom’s spirit will forever live on in our hearts and memories. We were so blessed to have mama for 86 wonderful years. Our hearts are beyond broken. Please join us for mama’s Celebration of Life. The services will begin at 11:00 am on November 7th at the Gateway Church of Visalia located at 1100 S. Sowell Street, Visalia California 93277.

Leota Ernestine Dougherty was born on November 13,1938 in Hot Springs, Arkansas and when she was a year old, her mom and dad, Ollie and Leo Garrett, along with her two brothers Don and Ronnie and sister Darlene moved to San Francisco from Arkansas. After living there for several years, they settled into Visalia and Farmersville. Leo was a Contractor and built many homes and commercial buildings throughout the Central Valley. Mom graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in 1956 and went on to complete her education at Fresno State where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and master’s degrees in education. Her first teaching job was at Sequoia Union in Lemon Cove. She then taught Kindergarten at Hester and Snowden schools in Farmersville for over 37 years.

Mom married Lee Dougherty, the love of her life on Dec. 21, 1957. They were married for 48 years and raised 3 children, Danny, Brian & Lisa, the joys of her life. She took pride in preparing delicious meals and creating a warm and loving home. Mama was an amazing baker, she spent hours baking scrumptious cakes, pies & cobblers. Her home was beautifully decorated for every holiday to the max! Mom also enjoyed walking with her English bulldogs, Beauregard, Bam Bam, Sugar, Chance and Sergeant Bubba around the house and garden over the years as well as swimming with them in the pool and jacuzzi. Her home was her sanctuary, planted with beautiful flowers in full bloom and seasonal gardens. She loved the little things in life and found joy in traveling with her children seeing the world and trying out new restaurants. She loved going on adventures in her motor home with her son, Brian, they drove across the states visiting family and enjoying the sights. Mama was up for any adventure and went on cruises with Brian and Lisa to Europe and Mexico, as well as trips to Hawaii and many other states, mama loved walking on the Great Wall of China with Lisa. Mom traveled frequently with her Bible and breakfast group taking bus trips to many cities and cruises to Alaska & Hawaii over the years with Gateway Church of Visalia and was always packed in a moment’s notice for the next one. She truly enjoyed life and her children. She was a strong believer in God and Jesus Christ and she made sure that we went to Sunday school as children.

Mom will be greatly missed by all who knew her warm, sweet embrace. Her father, Leo Richard Garrett, her mother, Ollie Rosie Phillips Garrett, her husband of 48 years, Leondro Dale Dougherty, eldest son, Daniel Albert Dougherty, and her two brothers, Ronald Lee and Donald Ray Garrett all have entered eternal peace. Mama is survived by her son; Brian Lee Dougherty of Visalia and her daughter; Lisa Maureen Surroz and her husband, Frank Victor Surroz III of Morro Bay and her sister Darlene Rosa Garrett Nelson of Visalia. Mom leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout California, Texas, Idaho and Arkansas.

We are taking things one moment at a time and appreciate your prayers. Please know that we may not be able to respond to every message right now. Thank you for understanding. We hope to see you at Gateway Church in Visalia.

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