Azalea Irene Gettings

Lea Gettings passed away in her sleep early on Sunday morning, September 2nd, 2018. She would have celebrated her 100th birthday next fall.  She lived an amazing life and will be missed.

Lea was born and raised in Oklahoma. Her family was hard-working, like most people in that region during the Great Depression.  Her mother died when Lea was still very young, leaving her to raise her younger sister, Barbara, while her father worked. Lea sacrificed a lot to take care of Barbara, always with the goal that they would both finish school. Eventually, Lea made her way to the West Coast as a young woman. She had a pioneering spirit and was an independent woman.

She met and fell in love with Sam Gettings, a cowboy who became a train master for the Santa Fe Railroad in New Mexico. They married and had one son, Gary, who was the light of Lea's life. The marriage to Sam was short-lived, and Lea and her young son built a new life together in Los Angeles.

Lea worked hard to create a life anyone would be proud of, but it is even more impressive to think what life for a single mother was like 70 years ago!  After she and her sister both graduated from high school, Lea continued her education; she eventually earned a Master's Degree from Whittier College and was a professor at Los Angeles Harbor College for 20 years. Later, she became a licensed Marriage and Family Counselor, helping families find long-term solutions to relationship issues. In her years as a professor and counselor, she helped many people reach their professional and personal goals.

Lea moved to Lompoc 30 years ago to be closer to family.   She leaves behind her only child, Gary Gettings, and his wife Shirley, of Lompoc, California; two granddaughters, Vicki and her husband, Amir, of Olympia, Washington; Katie and her husband, Jarrod, and their infant son, Barrett, of Roseburg, Oregon. Lea was preceded in death by her father Clyde Atchison, her mother Myrtle Babb Atchison, and her sister Barbara Atchison.  The family would especially like to thank employees of Lompoc Valley Medical Comprehensive Care Center and Lea's special friend Jim Shaw for their loving care and kindness. Arrangements are under the direction of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary and inurnment at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.