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LETA FAYE

The Unstoppable
LETA FAYE
A Century of Ladylike Mischief and Grace

On December 13, 1918, Leta Faye (Barbee) Touchstone was born in Noodle, Texas. She is not just defying age—she’s giving it a run for its money. At nearly 106 years old, this powerhouse is still painting, preaching, and putting on her makeup every morning like she’s got a hot date with George Clooney. Let’s be clear: this woman is the reason the Energizer Bunny feels inadequate. In fact, he’s probably taking notes.

You might think that after living through the Great Depression, World War II, and more fashion disasters than we care to remember (hello, shoulder pads!), Leta would be content to kick back and relax. But no! Each morning, she springs out of bed ( with a little help) like a teenager on prom day. She whips up a breakfast ( with a little help) fit for a queen, gets dressed to the nines (with a little help) and applies her makeup (no help) with the precision of a NASA engineer. After all, you never know who might drop by—a lady must always be prepared! But if Clooney does come knocking, Leta’s ready.

Leta has her opinions about today’s trends, and let’s just say, they’re not exactly “TikTok- trendy. . “I see girls today who don’t wear makeup, much less clothes, and their hair looks like they lost a fight with the ceiling fan,” she quips. “Do they think they are stylish, or are they just auditioning for the role of “Scarecrow Extra’ in the Wizard of Oz?

And don’t even get her started on trends. Leta’s seen more of them come and go than a revolving door at Macy’s during Black Friday. “Trends are like political promises,” she says with a smirk, “They’re here today, gone tomorrow, and usually leave you wondering what the heck just happened.” Her advice? Stick to your own values and forget trying to fit in. “Who wants to fit in, anyway?” she laughs. “I’ve been standing out since 1918, and honey look, it worked!”

Back when she lived in Anson, Texas her late husband, Tutt was the barbecue master man. Iconic. Every Saturday, he cooked enough meat to feed an army, as well as those who loved his master recipes. Cooking up sausage links, ribs and hamburger steaks would make the next-door neighbors mouth water. And indeed, their mouths were fed. Tutt and Leta Faye would offer the sizzling options to the preacher and his family the next day. “Heck, eat meat! That’s what we did in Anson” she smiled and laughed like a champ in the country. However, it wasn’t all about meat for Leta. When it comes to the liquid stuff, the notable vegetables to juice were, carrots and celery. Two of her go to vegetables, always. Leta’s been juicing since before Juicing was cool. “I was juicing way before that Jack LaLanne feela made it trendy,” she boasts. “Heck, he probably learned it from me!”

Leta’s secret to a long, happy life is as simple as it is brilliant: take care of yourself. “Life is short, even if you live as long as I have,” she says, “So don’t let yourself go. You don’t want to wake up one day looking like you’ve been through the washing machine on the ‘heavy duty’ cycle.” She’s not just talking about beauty routines, either. Leta believes in nurturing everything that’s important—your relationships, your talents, and most of all, yourself. Her mother’s sage advice sticks with her to this day: “Things happen for a reason, even if you don’t see it right away. "But trust me, darling, you’ll figure it out eventually –probably after your hair’s done and you’ve had some coffee". Her caregivers have all been supportive to her cause or should she say her policies. Leta doesn’t have to preach how important it is to have good caregivers. It is evident and it shows with the great ones she has had through the years. I depend upon these gals to make my day and together we have memories that an old gal like me will remember when I am upstairs, and … I can preach that word too. Tierney Lee is the glue of the group. She pulls everything together and Lasheena Pridgen, is the one who is adamant about making all things continue to work – ‘right’. She is still working on me, though! Those who care for a person can make or break you. Living longer is great if you have your health and live as I have. I know I am very blessed, thanks to many of my loved ones. “A little love and a lot of lipstick can go a long way, too” she insists, with a wink that could charm the socks off anyone.

Her Christian attitude is the holy grail of her life. Leta doesn’t just talk the talk—she walks the walk. She’s always been the first to lend a hand, offer a prayer, or share a word or two and peach to those who will listen, and sometimes the preaching goes directly to her caregivers, who have no choice. Her day's health can be credited to her positive attitude … all day. Leta’s actions speak volumes about her deep love for her family and others all solidified by her unwavering faith in God. Her church family means the world to her. "I have received over 100 cards from the Heart's In Action class at Prestoncrest Church of Christ and to this day and I keep everyone of them and really appreciate the interest they have shown me. Leta’s been attending services faithfully for as long as anyone can remember, and even when she could no longer physically attend, her spirit was there, bright and early, all dressed, earrings on, hair fixed and makeup perfect, ready to praise God. “Getting ready for church was never a chore,” she says. “It was a privilege.” For Leta, Sunday mornings are sacred—a time to learn more about God and her beloved church friends who have become like family over the years.

As Leta gears up for her 106th birthday, she’s still the same vibrant, wise-cracking, makeup-loving dynamo she’s always been. Her paintings are just as colorful as her personality, and her “ladylike policies” are proof that while trends may fade, style --and a good sense of humor—never go out of fashion.

So, here’s to Leta Faye (Barbee) Touchstone: the original, the unstoppable, the woman who could charm the pants off a mannequin, tell you what’s wrong with your hair, remind you of the importance of eating your greens, and still have time to bow her head in prayer—all in one breath. Her life is a masterclass in living with purpose, love, and a generous dose of laughter. And as she proves every day, faith, love and a little bit of lipstick can conquer anything—even time itself.