Lela May Paxton, 75, passed away on June 7, 2026, at her home in Chaffee, Missouri, surrounded by her loving family.

Lela was born on February 25, 1951, to the late Dewey Josh Davidson and Gracie Cooper-Sartan.

On November 16, 1974, she married the love of her life, Bill Paxton, who preceded her in death.

In her younger years, Lela was always on the go. She loved dancing and even appeared on a local television dance show. She enjoyed spending time at the boathouse she and her husband owned in Illinois and grew to love riding motorcycles alongside him. In her later years, she found joy in watching her favorite soap operas, listening to Elvis Presley, and treating herself to having her hair and nails done. Above all else, Lela cherished her family.

To know Lela was to love her. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and beloved sister whose life centered around the people she cared for most. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her brothers and sisters, whether talking on the phone, taking trips together, or simply enjoying each other's company. Family was never an obligation to Lela, it was her greatest blessing.

Lela was a woman of many wonderful qualities, but perhaps her greatest gift was her ability to love unconditionally. She had a kind and welcoming heart, and once she met someone, she treated them like family. Her warmth, compassion, and genuine care for others made a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her. The love she gave so freely will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends for generations to come.

She is survived by her daughters, Enjoli Gathright, Jessica Womack-Phillips, Brittany Musgrave, Kayla Lee, and Katera Womack; two brothers, David (Sue) Davidson and John (Tracy) Davidson; three sisters, JoAnn Rodgers, Gracie (Buddy) Lee, and Candy Floyd; and her beloved grandchildren, Brennan,C.J., Cameron, Bella, Lailah, Haddie, Maddie, Dylan, Kaisley, Kallen, Emersyn, and Karsen.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Joshua Paxton; her brother, Dewey Davidson; her sister, Marjane Davidson; and her granddaughter, Baby Gathright.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 noon at Caudle Funeral Home in Sikeston, Missouri. Pastor Glen Cantrell will officiate the services.

Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Pallbearers are David Davidson, John Davidson, Brennan Phillips, Cameron Phillips, Chris Rodgers, Cooper Rodgers, and Zachary Phillips.