PEARL FAY BAYS CARLTON LEACH

1932-2018

Pearl Fay Bays Carlton Leach (11/8/32 - 1/31/18)

Pearl Fay Bays Carlton Leach passed from this world on January 31, 2018 with loving family members in attendance. Fay was born November 8, 1932 in Greenup County KY, on the banks of the Ohio River. She was the youngest and last survivor of two brothers, Bob and Vernon Bays, and a sister, Helen. Always a student who excelled, Fay received a scholarship to attend Lincoln Memorial University in Harragut, TN and while there was voted to represent LMU as its Beauty Queen for several years running. While attending LMU she met Bernard ‘Bernie’ Carlton and they married in 1953. A family was started and the couple had four boys and a girl: Mike, Leslie, John and the twins Drew and Paul; all who knew her called her ‘Mama Fay’, because she was like a mom to everyone. Bernie’s career took him to Texas, in the mid-60’s during the heady days of the Apollo program. The family joined the Webster Presbyterian Church and ‘Mama Fay’ always remained active in her faith as demonstrated by her lifetime commitment to this Church. She joined the nascent NASA space program and ran the Public Affairs office with charisma and excellence for over 20 years. Graciously handling the visits to the center of foreign heads of state, presidents, astronauts, dignitaries and celebrities from all walks of life were part of Fay’s normal routine and all who met her would never forget her charm, grace and absolute kindness. It was a job she loved and she was sadly missed by all the space center. Upon retirement, and after her marriage to John Leach, a British naval officer, she realized her dreams of traveling the world over. They would summer in Suffolk, England and spent the winters in the Bay Area to be close to her Texas family. Upon John’s death, Fay came back to reside permanently in Nassau Bay. Her pride and joy was her family of children, grand children and great grandchildren. She is survived by Michael and Sheree Carlton, of Friendswood, TX; Leslie Donohue of Friendswood, TX; John Carlton of Lahaina, HI; Andrew Carlton of Midland, TX; Paul Carlton of Katy, TX; and grand children and great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 3, at 4 pm at the Webster Presbyterian Church, 201 NASA Road 1, Webster TX 77598