Louellen Joy Lechman
Louellen Joy (Dougherty) Lechman, 88, of Wichita Falls, died peacefully on Monday, May 16, in the arms of the three loves of her life, her children.
A celebration of life will be held June 11, at 11 a.m. at Beverly Drive United Methodist Church under the direction of Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to gather for fellowship and lunch immediately following the service.
Louellen was born in Gorei, Ethiopia, on Sept. 29, 1933, to Frank and Irene Dougherty, who were serving as medical missionaries sponsored by the United Presbyterian Church. The natives were amazed that she was the last of six children, and that none had been lost to tropical diseases. They gifted her the Ethiopian name of “Alimazi Weriki”, which is Amharic for diamonds and gold. They presented her mother with a ram’s horn and one ounce of gold to celebrate her birth. Lou lived most of her childhood in Ethiopia while her mother taught ESL and her father was a physician and operated a medical clinic. They returned to the US in 1945 when her father retired from the mission field.
Louellen was further raised in Oklahoma City, graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and went to work at Ft. Sill as a recreation director in the Service Clubs. There she met and married her husband, Robert Lechman, had three remarkable children and eventually divorced. She and the children moved to Enid, OK, and lived there five years where she established herself as a graphic artist designing two book covers and notable program covers. She entered the Hammermill-Bond Letterhead National Contest and won an honorable mention for her design for the letterhead for The Lone Ranger. Additionally, Louellen painted a collection of all the state flowers with acrylic on wood which was displayed at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
After moving the family to Wichita Falls in 1972, she continued to use her artistic skills working at several local printing companies as typesetter and designer until she retired.
Having sewn clothing for herself and others for many years, Lou began a craft business making broomstick skirts and vests and traveled to area craft shows under the business name Cat Tails. She retired from doing this after she had her third bout of can cer and wasn’t able to continue traveling although she continued sewing. She combined her artistic and sewing skills to create beautiful quilts for family, friends, and charitable organizations.
Lou was active with Wichita Adult Literacy Council, The Kell House, Democratic Women and supported Backdoor Theatre and many other worthy causes.
She was preceded in death by brothers Domer and Paul, and sisters Ruth, Madeline, and Patricia.
Louellen leaves behind three children, Lisa Lerner (Kevin) , Chris Lechman (Mickey), and Lauren Zotz (Jimmy), five grandchildren: Allison Schulte (Rex), Aleisha Solorio (Pablo), Lindsey Lerner, James Zotz (Cali), Parker Zotz, and six great grandchildren: Mila and Lena Solorio, Emily, Dale and Caroline Schulte, and Cooper Zotz, as well as eight nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to Wichita Adult Literacy Council, Hospice of Wichita Falls, Wichita Falls Faith Mission, or American Cancer Society, which she faithfully supported.
The family would like to thank the staff of Presbyterian Manor and Health Care for all of the love and care they provided to Louellen.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. lunnscolonial.com.
