Beth Elizabeth McLeskey

Erie Elizabeth (Beth) McLeskey, our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on her birthday, December 18, 2025, in Abilene.

Beth was born on December 18, 1928, in Dallas, Texas, to Sidney F. and Ruth Porter Bowers. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1946. Some of her fondest memories during her young growing up years were spending time with her cousins at the Porter Farm in Terrell, Texas, where her mother was raised. She loved visiting the “big house” and had great blackberry picking stories. Her father owned a Western Auto store in Breckenridge. Growing up during the war years was challenging for all families but especially so when the family business depended on selling items that were rationed. She talked often about seeing her friends and classmates “marching off to war”. After graduation, she attended Baylor University where she completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education.She moved to Abilene in 1950 and began working in the public school system at South Junior High. She met her husband, Neal, through mutual acquaintances at work, and they married in 1951. She then received her Masters Degree from Abilene Christian College. It was also at this time that they began what would become a lifelong friendship with JB and Winnie Gibbs. Neal and Beth spent their entire married life in Abilene and kept busy with their respective careers, raising their 3 children, and attending/volunteering at Highland Church of Christ. In 1965, she began teaching physical education at ACC and was a key member of the faculty that contributed to its growth which became the current ACU. The Physical Education Department at that time trained physical education teachers for school systems all over the State of Texas. She retired in 1985.

“Grandmother,” as she was commonly called, made the most of her post-retirement years by spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren: spring break camping trips, watching the TEXAS Outdoor Musical in Palo Duro Canyon, attending numerous school and sporting events, writing letters, long-distance telephone calls, and special breakfasts at McDonald’s were just a few of the special moments that she shared with her “grands.” But perhaps the best memories are from all the Christmases at her house in Abilene: the wonderful food, way-too-many presents, playing 42 and Trivial Pursuit, watching “White Christmas” (or “A Tuna Christmas”), and countless hours of laughter and love.

Above all things, Beth was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Her faith was evident in the way she lived her life (not to mention all the numerous notes made in the margins of her Bible). She made a habit of casually imparting little words of wisdom to her grandchildren, and oftentimes this wisdom was based solely on Scripture. Her life was a living testimony to the love of Jesus, a love that she shared tenfold with her family. And so today, we are saddened by her absence after years of constant love and support, but we are not disheartened. In the words of one of her favorite hymns: “Because He lives I can face tomorrow / Because He lives all fear is gone / Because I know He holds the future / And life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Beth was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Sidney E. Bowers; and her husband, Neal McLeskey.

Beth is survived by her children: Kenny McLeskey and wife Penny of Austin, Rusty McLeskey and wife Lisa of Burnet, and Melinda Edwards and husband Darren of Bedford; by her grandchildren: Jeffrey Edwards and wife Lauren, Tom Edwards, Stephanie McLeskey, Rebekah Jacobson and husband Jake, Meghann Goodwin and husband Ryan, Zachary McLeskey, and Jenna McLeskey Aprea and husband Fabrizio; and by her great-grandchildren: Carter Edwards, Harrison Edwards, Holland Edwards, and Jamie Jacobson.

Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Edwards, Tom Edwards, Zachary McLeskey, Steve Gibbs, Daryl Zeller, and Gibbs Wilson. Honorary pallbearer is Jonathan Gibbs.

Visitation will be at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene on Monday, December 29th, at 1:00 pm, with funeral services immediately following at 2:00 pm. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Neelima Ryali and Dr. Gibbs Wilson for their outstanding care, as well as the staff at Hendrick Hospice. We are also grateful for the many years of love, friendship, and support from the entire JB and Winnie Gibbs family.