Elthie Cade Meads, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful follower of Christ, peacefully entered God’s presence on February 26, 2026 at the age of 98. Elthie was a remarkable woman of unwavering faith and strong work ethic whose love for God and family permeated all aspects of her life. She found joy in serving others and encouraged her family to always seek God’s will for their lives.
Elthie was born in Yantis, TX on September 30, 1927 to James Lonnie and Iva Gilbreath Cade. As one of five children raised on a dairy farm, she learned the value of hard work and family unity from an early age. Her family also grew cotton, peaches, and ribbon cane for syrup production, a tradition which her family continues to celebrate each fall at the family farm.
Elthie graduated from Quitman High School in 1945 and in 1949 earned a teaching degree from East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, TX. That same year she began her teaching career with Hawkins ISD. She married William Meads on January 29, 1952. The Meads family were long time residents of New Boston, TX where Mrs. Meads was a beloved Kindergarten Teacher at Crestview Elementary School, retiring in 1993 after having taught 26 years. Mrs. Meads was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of New Boston and part of the Rebekah Sunday School Class.
Elthie was married to her husband, William, for 65 years until his passing in 2018. The Meads have five children: Alethia White of Texarkana, AR, and Byron (Nita) Meads, Timothy (Rhona) Meads, Rebecca Meads (Niles Laborde), and Anthony (Shanna) Meads - all of Tyler, TX. She was blessed with a legacy of 18 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Lonnie and Iva Gilbreath Cade, sisters, Lois Garrison and Lavinia Atchley, and brother, Kenneth Cade, brother-in-law, Roy Garrison and sister-in-law, Marian Cade. She is survived by her sister, Maureen Shaw, and brother-in-law, Don Shaw, of Southlake, TX and brother-in-law, Jimmy Atchley, of Hawkins, TX Visitation will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 6pm to 8pm at Bates Rolf Funeral Home in New Boston, TX. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 10:30am at the First Baptist Church of New Boston. The service will be officiated by Pastor Patrick Hunter and Pastor Ken Cox. Her seven grandsons, Justin White, Christopher White, Jordan Meads, Andrew Meads, Nicholas Meads, Kelby Schuermann, and William Meads will serve as pallbearers. A graveside service officiated by Father Ron Demski will take place at 3:00pm at Rock Hill Cemetery in Quitman, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rock Hill Cemetery, PO Box 1365, Quitman, TX 75783 or First Baptist Church of New Boston, 506 S. McCoy Blvd., New Boston, TX 75570
