Clara Faye Watts Leggett, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of Christ, entered her eternal reward on November 29, 2025, at the age of 83. Born on December 3, 1941, in Saint Pauls, North Carolina, Ms. Faye, as she became known to so many friends, was the daughter of Herbert and Josephine Watts, both of whom preceded her in death, along with her brother Dale Watts.
Faye spent her childhood in Norfolk, Virginia, where her love for the Lord first began to flourish. At age 14, she felt God leading her to Greenville, South Carolina, to attend Holmes Academy and later Holmes Bible College. There, on the campus that would shape both her heart and future, she met James Daniel Leggett, the young man who would become the love of her life. Over the next five years, their friendship deepened, and on June 25, 1961, they were married at First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Norfolk, Virginia. From that day forward, Faye became not only a devoted wife but a steadfast partner in every season of life and ministry.
The newlyweds returned to Greenville where James became a teacher at Holmes Bible College, and soon afterward the couple accepted their first pastorate at Swan Quarter PH Church in Pinetown, North Carolina. It marked the beginning of a ministry journey spanning more than five decades, built on faith, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to serve God’s people.
As her husband pastored congregations in Pembroke and Falcon, Faye was the heart of each church they served. She taught Sunday School, mentored young women, sang in the choir, and quietly cared for families with compassion and grace. Her ministry was never about titles; it was about people. She had a genuine love for those God placed in her life.
When her husband was elected as the Superintendent of the North Carolina Conference and then eventually to global leadership as the Presiding Bishop of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Faye’s influence grew as well. She served the church with excellence as Women’s Ministries director for the NC Conference, a member of the General Women’s Ministries Board, and later director of the IPHC Ministers’ Wives Fellowship.
Faye fulfilled her role as First Lady of the IPHC with warmth, dignity, and joy—encouraging pastors’ wives, supporting women in ministry, and opening her home with Christlike hospitality. Later, when the couple returned once again to Holmes Bible College—this time for him to serve as president—Faye gave her whole heart to the mission. She welcomed students, prayed faithfully for the faculty, encouraged future ministers and supported the revitalization of the campus until his retirement in 2017.
Bishop Doug Beacham and First Lady Susan remember Faye Leggett with love and appreciation. “Susan and I are grateful for the godly life and influence of Mrs. Faye Leggett,” he said. “She served Jesus with faithful joy and righteous integrity. She was always so encouraging to us as she understood the challenges and opportunities of serving as the First Lady of the IPHC. Our prayers are with her dear family and we rejoice knowing she is with her beloved husband, Bishop James Leggett, and with the Lord they both lovingly served.”
Through every chapter—pastoring, conference leadership, national ministry, global ministry, and college work—Faye remained the quiet, steady strength behind it all. Her faith never wavered. Her kindness never dimmed. Her life was a continuous testimony of the presence of Jesus. Yet, of all her callings, family was her greatest joy. Faye was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her prayers covered each one by name, and her home was filled with laughter, Scripture, and love.
She is survived by her four children: James D. Leggett, Jr. (Sandra) of Clinton, North Carolina; Joseph Talmadge Leggett (Sharon) of Falcon, North Carolina; Cindy McKeone (Jim) of Little River, South Carolina; and John Leggett (Laurie) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; her grandchildren: Erica Leggett Gill, Whitney Leggett Upton (Zack), James Daniel Leggett III (Bailey), Cameron Leggett, Trevor Leggett, Andrew Leggett, Megan Johnson (Eddie), Mychaela Hicks, Austin Leggett (Natalie), Abigail Hall (Laine), and Avery Leggett; 11 great-grandchildren: Landon Gill, Ellison Johnson, Westlyn Upton, Rose Mary Gill, Graelyn Upton, Makenna Johnson, Paitin Upton, Ian Gill, Charlie Leggett, Emerie Johnson, and Olivia Leggett. She is also survived by her brothers Tommy Watts and Charlie Watts.
Faye’s life was marked by grace, humility, dignity, and unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ. She was a pillar in her family, a gift to her church, and a blessing to her denomination. Her legacy will endure in the generations she nurtured and in the countless lives she touched. She has now been reunited with her beloved husband—together again in the presence of the Savior they faithfully served.
