Leta Humes was born on October 15, 1932 in San Leandro, California to Ray and Letta Beaver. Leta grew up and attended school in San Leandro, until she and her family moved to Ohio in 1946. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1950 and would soon meet her future husband, Chuck. When telling their grandchildren the story of how they met in Ohio at the local swimming hole, Chuck beamed, “she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen — and the rest is history!” Leta and Chuck married in November 1953 and traveled the world together through his service in the U.S. Air Force. From celebrating New Year’s Eve 1954 at Times Square in New York City, to living in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia, and immersing themselves in the culture and community of life on base in Tachikawa, Japan, Chuck and Leta shared many adventures together. Leta found joy in organizing social activities for the Airmen’s Wives Club and enjoyed visiting Hong Kong, which she always spoke of as “a shopper’s delight!”
Chuck, Leta and their three sons settled in Vacaville, California once Chuck was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. Leta had a loving, giving spirit and had volunteered at David Grant Medical Center and with the American Red Cross. She had a passion for genealogy and was known as the family historian; she kept records, family trees, biographies, and numerous pictures organized in binders and photo albums, which she loved to share with her family. She had many fond memories and stories from her youth to share, especially those regarding Yosemite, which she often visited with her parents. Leta also had many interests, which included playing the accordion as a child and square dancing with her husband, who she traveled to Reno and Los Angeles with for competitions. She loved light houses and to sit on the porch with her family, making their famous homemade vanilla ice cream (which was always fought over at every holiday dinner) . One of her life’s philosophies was to “always have dessert first.”
Leta passed away peacefully in her sleep at approximately 10:45pm on Thursday, August 15th at the age of 91. Her family was by her side every day, sharing stories and holding her hand with love and adoration. She is survived by her husband of almost 71 years, Chuck; sons Chuck Jr., David Ray (Coleen) and Lee; grandchildren Susanne, Cory (Natasha) and Rosie (Ryan); great-grandchildren Erick, Kathryn and Tyler.
Leta will be buried at the Sacramento National Cemetery in Dixon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity organization or to the Relay for Life in support of the Professional Loadmaster Association.
