Letha Mae Paden, age 94, of Sweet Home passed away Wednesday. She was born in Bowlegs, Oklahoma to Thomas Everett and Ida Ellen (Caulkins) Caldwell.

She lived in Oklahoma till she moved to Sanger, California in 1944. In 1973 she moved to Marcola, Oregon and lived there until she moved to Sweet Home in 1999. She had homes in Sanger, Tollhouse and Morro Bay, California.

Letha owned and operated restaurants in California before moving to Oregon. She retired from JCPenny in Eugene, Oregon. She was active in the Republican Party. Letha received an award from Lane County, Oregon farmers market.

She loved all kinds of needlework, especially crochet, cake decorating, gardening/farming and selling at craft shows. She also sold baked goods, james and jellies, fruit and vegetables at Lane County Farmers Market. She loved to travel; anyplace in a car but an airplane would do.

Letha is survived by two daughters: Barbara June Jostrom of Marcola and Glenda Sue Doughman of Yreka, California; five grandchildren: William “Skip” Doughman of Eugene, Mark G. Doughman of Chico, California, Kirsten Seaberry of Vacaville, California, Kari Cooper of Charlotte, NC, and Barbara Gates of Danville, California; eleven great grandchildren: Vernon and Misty Doughman; Kiersten, Mark A., Courtney, Kari Doughman; Karissa, Rebecca and Jessica Seaberry; Adam, Joel Gates; four great great grandchildren: Conli, Jasmine, Daelen and Dyani Doughman; and one brother, David Bennett of Sweet Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas E. Caldwell (1941) Ida Ellen Caulkins Bennett (1972); brothers: Homer, Charles, Clifford and Paul Bennett; Everett, Velmore, and Herman Caldwell; sisters: Nita Joyner and Thelbe Elder; husbands: Glenn R. Bennett (1973) and W.L. “Larry” Paden (1991).

Memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice and Wiley Creek Community Activity Fund.

A viewing will be 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, March 24, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, also at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at Mable Cemetery in Marcola.