Denise Meador

Denise Meador passed away into the presence of Jesus Christ on February 26, 2026. She was 86 years old. She was born on March 3, 1939 in El paso Texas. Her parents were Albert (Bud) Honey and Ida Lee Waltrip (both deceased). Bud’s occupation was in construction involving heavy duty machinery, a job that required him to move regularly in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, and California. As a result, Denise’s early elementary school years were interrupted by moving from one school to another. It was in Big Spring Texas when Bud found work that required less out-of-town jobs. It was also in Big Spring that her sister was born, Janice Sue Honey.

In Big Spring Denise attended Central Ward Elementary and then Runnels Junior High. It was in these Junior high years when she became a Christian and was baptized. She loved to sing the old classic church hymnals. It wasn’t long until she knew the lyrics and melody and could sing them by memory…. the hymnals that are almost non-existent in church’s today.

Denise began her high school schooling in 1954 at Big Spring High School, and excelled in all three years. She held a part time job at the State Theater selling candy and popcorn. In February 1956 a new usher was hired by the theater, Sammy Dee Meador, a sophomore, a grade behind Denise. They became friends, had conservation, and talked a lot when business was slow. This led to dating. A few months later in December of 1956 they realized that they were in love. They wanted to get married… but when and how? So…17-year-old Denise and 16-year-old Sammy (Sam) began making plans.

In January 1957 Sam trained to become a projectionist. There was 3 movie in-door theaters and 3 drive-in theaters in Big Spring at that time. Sam got a job as a part time projectionist, making $1.50 an hour. Denise graduated from high school in May 1957. She got a scholarship at Howard County Junior College, better known as HCJC. Sam had one more year of high school and continued with his job. Denise got a part time job as a dental assistant. They began to save money. Sam graduated in May 1958.

In the summer of 1958, they bought a small trailer house to live in after they got married, and parked it in Sams parents’ backyard. They got married on the 6th of September 1958 at Wesley Methodist Church. Then, they both enrolled in the Fall semester at Howard County Junior College.

In 1959 Denise was valedictorian of her graduating class at HCJC. She also got a student federal loan of 1500 dollars, which enabled her to enroll at Texas Tech. She rented a bedroom that was 2 or 3 blocks from the campus, while Sam stayed in Big Spring to finish his second year at HCJC. Sam graduated in 1960. Denise and Sam then moved to Lubbock and registered for the Fall semester at Texas Tech.

In Early April 1961 the Meadors found out that Denise was with child. Their plans had to be changed. They both finished the semester at Tech, and Denise enrolled in summer school, both semesters, and graduated in August 1961. Sam had gone back to Big Spring working as a projectionist and doing temporary jobs that came about. Unfortunately for Denise in those days pregnant women could not teach school. But fortunately, they were able to buy a large mobile home by trading in their small trailer house and enough money saved to pay the difference. Christi Michelle Meador was born on December 15th 1961 at Malone & Hogan Hospital Big Spring Texas. Denise and Sam were very happy and grateful and loved their baby. She was trying to walk at 6 1/2 months and was fully walking at 7 months, and getting into everything. Christi now is a retired elementary school teacher, and spent most of career at Ireland Elementary. She was recognized as a great teacher.

In the summer of 1962 Denise was hired as a biology teacher at Monterrey High School, Lubbock Texas. So…. Denise, Sam, and 8-month-old Christi, and their new mobile home, moved to Lubbock. Fortunately, they found a wonderful lady across the street to keep Christi whenever necessary. Sam registered for the Fall semester at Texas Tech, and got a part time job at the Trail Drive-In Theater. He graduated from Tech in May 1964. Prior to Sam’s graduation Ector County Independent School District sent representatives to the Tech campus looking to hire teachers. Denise and Sam interviewed together. They were verbally hired on the spot. The contracts were signed a couple of weeks later…. Denise at Odessa High and Sam at Permian. However, maternity came again…. for the same reason Denise had to resign her teaching position before the school year started. … but it was promised that she would be hired again if she applied. And, indeed that happened. Stacy Dee Meador was born on February 1st 1965 at Medical Center Hospital, Odessa. He too was a quick learner to walk and was reading when he was four years old, thanks to his grandmother, Ida Lee, who read the newspaper

to him regularly. Stacy lives in Richardson. He is a CPA and works in the Dallas area.

In September 1965 Denise began her teaching career at Hood Junior High teaching science. A few years later she was transferred to Bonham Junior High. In 1974 she was transferred to Permian’s special education department.

Both Denise and Sam obtained masters degrees at UTPB. She passed the CPA at first try. Denise’s step mother, Sonora (deceased), and Denises sister were income tax preparers. They taught Denise and Sam which enabled the Meador’s to open a tax preparation business of their own which would not interfere with their teaching.

In 1985 Denise and Sam bought 2.5 acres of land on the banks of the South Llano River, located in Junction Texas…. which turned out to be a sort of paradise for them, and especially their family…. there was fishing, canoeing, Kayaking, and hunting. The Meador family consisted of: Christi & husband Mike and their two children, Samantha and Landon… Samantha’s Son Grayson… Landon’s wife Jennifer, and their children Lainey and Rheese… Stacy and wife Maria and their children Lexi and Sean…. Denise’s sister Janice and husband Jim (now deceased) and Janice’s daughter Jennifer and granddaughters Katelynn and Addison.

Denise retired in 1994, spending the last 20 years at Permian. Sam retired in 1995. Upon retirement they had time to travel…. including more than half of the United States, Toronto, England, Ireland, France Italy, and 4 cruises at other locations.

Through the years Denise had many friends, probably because she was so congenial. She loved her friends and they loved her. She learned to sew at an early age. She loved to watch movies, work puzzles and read. Her vocabulary was amazing. She and Sam were Permian supporters and loved to teach there. While at Permian they went to more than 250 Permian football games, and at least that many after they retired. Most importantly, Denise liked to go to Sunday School and church services. She was a member of Mission Dorado Babtist Church for many years. She deeply believed that Jesus Christ gave her gifts through the holy spirit…. sanctification, salvation, and eternal life.