Leita Hood Williams Denson, 108, of Lipscomb, Alabama, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2017, in Madison, Alabama. Leita was born on July 4, 1909, in Bessemer. She was a member of South Highlands Baptist Church, which her parents established. At the age of 46, after raising two children, and the death of her second husband, Leita decided to go to college. She graduated from the University of Alabama with her bachelor''s in 1961 and her master''s in 1966. She taught sciences at Jones Valley High School for 18 years, where she presided over "Denson''s Dungeon." Teaching became her passion and she loved her students - and was loved and respected in return. Leita said the key to her success and that of her students was to "keep them busy." She enjoyed traveling and continued to do so well into her 90s. She once traveled around the world in 90 days. She was an avid photographer and left incredible images from her travels. She made lifelong friends wherever she went. Leita left us a legacy of love and strength rarely seen. She took what life dealt her and made the best - taking care of people and, taking her own advice, staying busy until the very end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lizzie Hood; husbands, Fred F. Williams and Fred H. Denson; siblings, Harold Hood, Robert (Freck) Hood, Lottie Hood, Lois Walburn, Frances Looney, and Jack Hood; son-in-law, Kenneth Liles; grandchildren, Bob Williams and Susan Liles Yeager; and grandson-in-law, Larry Stephens. Survivors include her children, Bobby (Elizabeth) Williams of Hueytown and Lucy Liles of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren, Sharon (John) Lovoy of Birmingham, Diane (Jim Woods) Williams of Bellefonte, PA, Barbara (Ed) Kilbourne of Dunwoody, GA, Pat (Debbie) Williams of Hueytown, Kathryn (Allan) Barr of Madison, James (Cindy) Williams of Gallatin, TN, Margaret (Earl) Todd and Perry (Jan) Liles, both of Huntsville, Andy (Rhondia) Liles of Tuscaloosa, and Keith (Audrey) Yeager of Demopolis; 30 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services for Leita Denson will be Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Valhalla Funeral Home in Midfield. Visitation will be 12:00-2:00 p.m., immediately followed by a graveside service, with Jay Byham officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider contributing to the scholarship fund established in her honor on her 100th birthday. It is within the University of Alabama College of Education to assist future science teachers. Make checks payable to: University of Alabama, with Leita Hood Williams Denson Scholarship in the memo line. Mail to: University of Alabama, PO Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.