Saleta May Duff

Saleta May Duff, 84, of Bedford and formerly long-time resident of Levelland, passed away peacefully in her home on May 11, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at Krestridge Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 16, at First Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the City of Levelland Cemetery.

Saleta was born in Chelsea, Oklahoma, on November 2, 1937, to Dudgeon and Kathryn Souter. She had one older brother, Richard.

Saleta spent the first four years of her life in Oklahoma, but got to Texas as quickly as she could. She went to school and graduated from Denver City High School. She then went to Hardin Simmons University, where she graduated with a degree in education.

She began her career molding students (often against their will) in Plains, Texas. Throughout her career she taught accounting, shorthand, and typing. We know that she is smiling now because the author here has his hands properly placed on the keyboard with his feet firmly planted on the floor and using perfect posture. And he never once looked at his hands to type this article. 

Plains is also where Saleta met the love of her life, Buford Duff. That lucky man married Saleta on April 14, 1960. Buford and Saleta shared over 61 years of happy marriage together.

Buford and Saleta made brief stops in Slaton and Borger before finally settling down in the bustling metropolis of Levelland, Texas. Buford and Saleta were faithful members of First Baptist Church in Levelland for 47 years. He worked as a CPA in Levelland while she taught at the local high school. Students described her strict, stubborn, and one who demanded excellence. Her tough exterior, however, belied a caring nurturer who was the first to celebrate her students’ achievements.  

Saleta persevered through life's difficulties with an uncompromising faithfulness and love for her family. She believed in hard work and demanded perfection, though she was quick to show others grace (especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren).

Though no awards donned her shelves, Saleta was a master cook and champion baker who also loved to crochet. Her famous chocolate pie will survive her for generations. Saleta’s granddaughters-in-law can attest that her masterful skills in the kitchen utterly spoiled her grandchildren, making it impossible to cook for them. While Parkinson's stilled her crochet needles and slowed her down in the kitchen, she continued to be the one in charge every Thanksgiving and Christmas, as she directed her daughter and granddaughters-in-law in every aspect of meal preparation. Though she leaves her recipes behind, no one will ever replace her.

Saleta is survived by her daughter, Saleta Ann and husband, Jimmy, of Fort Worth; grandchildren: Michael Thomas and wife, Jacque, of Trophy Club, Justin Thomas and wife, Rebecca, of Dallas Mitchell Thomas and wife, Celeste, of Waco, and seven great-grandchildren, Julia, Luke, Audrey, Calvin, Jonathan, Samuel, and Ford. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her beloved husband, and her grandson, James Allen.

Saleta’s legacy is more than enough for any good life for one of Jesus’ good and faithful servants. While our hearts hurt with her passing, our appreciation and love will never fade and will be reflected in our character until we meet her again in heaven. We find comfort in knowing that she is with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

While we will struggle in her absence, we look forward to one day eating a piece of her famous chocolate pie with her.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home, 806-897-1111.