Sena Jo Leese

Sena Jo Leese, 80, of Stephenville, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in Fort Worth

Funeral services for Sena will be at 3:00 PM Saturday, February 10th at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Marilyn Jones officiating.  Burial will follow at West End Cemetery.  Visitation with the Leese family will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday at Stephenville Funeral Home.

Sometimes we come back home and that’s exactly what Sena Jo Leese has done.  Born on January 10, 1944, to W.S. & Lenora Goodlett, Sena graduated from Big Spring High School.  She attended Howard College for two years and then transferred to Tarleton State University in the fall of 1964.  It was there that she met her husband of 57 years while serving as the editor of the Grassburr yearbook and Mike the editor of the J-TAC, student newspaper.

As both a loving wife to Mike and mother to Brad and Noelle, Sena found her true calling serving in education and her community.  Sena began her teaching career in Edna, Texas and continued her dedication to early childhood development in Stephenville, eventually retiring from the Georgetown Public School System.  She would lovingly refer to her class as “Mrs. Leese’s Litter” and was immensely proud to remain in touch with so many former students.

Sena was always active in her community and church, holding leadership positions in her sororities (OWLs, Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta), The Tarleton Alumni Association and serving the First United Methodist Church wherever the need arose.  She loved sharing her love of God through Emmaus, her weekly prayer groups and crocheting for those in need.

Sena was especially passionate in her efforts to provide food for school aged children and dedicated much of her retirement to establishing a local chapter of Backpack Buddies.

Preceded in death by her parents, W.S and Lenora Goodlett, parents in-law, Calvin and Nell Fuchs and sister in-law, Marsha Goodlett, Sena leaves behind her husband Mike, children Brad and Noelle (Jim) Garstka, grandchildren Millie, James and Caroline, brother Robert Goodlett and siblings in-law David and Jeanette Leese, Bob and Donna Fox, Mary and Marshall Davis and special friends Hanna and Edith Spence.

Comments on Sena’s passing have told her story in a terrific manner:

“We lost a remarkable Tarleton Texan tonight, but I know she is already bringing a super abundance of purple cheer to her new heavenly home.”

“Reflecting on life, I’ve come to remember those who have profoundly influenced us.  Sena holds a special place at the top of that list”

“Sena’s legacy has touched countless lives through generations of students”

“My wife and children are living proof of the opportunities you’ve bestowed upon me.”

The Leese family wish expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to the Dr. Mike and Sena Leese Student Advocacy Endowment Scholarship at Tarleton State University.