Ida Leighton “Leigh” Gargis, 90, of Sheffield, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 22, 2026. She was born on March 9, 1935, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, at Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church, Tuscumbia, Alabama. The funeral service will immediately follow at the church. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Leigh was preceded in death by her loving husband of forty-one years, Luther O’Neal Gargis; her parents, Luke Francis Koestler and Julia Binnier Koestler; sister, Margaret “Margie” Burdick; son-in-law, Raymond Devaney; and grandsons, Jared Matthew Mothershed and Larry Gargis.
She is survived by her children, Matthew J. Mothershed (Cathy), Annie M. Cole (Bubba), John C. Mothershed (Suzanne), Barbara Devaney, Roger Gargis (Jan), Ricky Gargis (Jane), and John Gargis (Anita); grandchildren, Jessica Lier (Zack), Hannah Mears (Kirk), Whitney Marshall (Michael), Zach Cole, Malachi Cole (Liz), Emily Dread (Jalen), Sara Todd (Rusty), Eden Mothershed, Brooks Canup (Danielle), Brylee Heathcock (Colby), Shaw Gargis (Amy), Morgan Gargis, Josh Gargis (Brandy), Chris Devaney, Stacie Smallwood (Jeff), Corey Gargis (Ashley), Brad Hulsey (Angela); as well as numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Some of Leigh’s fondest memories were her years living in the Village community where she reared her family. She enjoyed her fifty-three year career with the Carter Oil Company family and considered it a vocation that brought her great pleasure. Leigh loved her family and lived in anticipation of gatherings, especially holidays. The Deshler Football Quarterback Club brought many years of enjoyment with friends as she served her special oatmeal cookies to the team week after week. Leigh was generous, funny, and had a strong work ethic. She was a light to all around her.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mark McIlwain, Dr. Jack McLendon, Victoria Hodges, Joyous Hodges, Machelle Williams, Andrea Prince, Miranda Carlisle, and Daniel Freeman for their kindness and loving care for our mom.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate.
