Alma (Leigh) Gonzalez, 90, of House Springs died Aug. 1, 2022, in Fenton. Mrs. Gonzalez was a passionate restaurateur, operating D.J.’s and Valley High, both BBQ restaurants in High Ridge. She also sold real estate and worked for 25 years as a dedicated front-office administrator for Dr. Martin, DDS. Many will remember her from the P.N. Hirsch department store in old town Fenton, where for years she did the books and trained managers, although was never promoted due to her gender. She enjoyed playing bingo and playing on her hand-held poker device, and had hoped to hit a big lottery win to bequeath to her children. She loved hunting for treasures at yard sales, listening to Elvis Presley music and eating Moose Tracks flavor ice cream. Born March 27, 1932, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the lateEdward and Lelia “Irene” (Thompson) Leigh. She was preceded in death by her husband: Michael Gonzalez.
She is survived by 12 children: Delores (Harry Young) Gonzalez, Michael (Betty) Gonzalez, Celestina (the late James) Menees, Jovita Gonzalez, Elvira (Doug) Rice, Raymond (Valerie) Gonzalez, Joseph (Lisa) Gonzalez, Charlotte (Don) Crow, Thomas (Judy) Gonzalez, Sara DesRoches, Frank Gonzalez and John Gonzalez; 24 grandchildren: John Deavers, Nicholas Benedict, Jeannie (Dale) Kinnard, Michael (Kristy) Gonzalez, Jeffrey Woodson, Rachel Klaus-Smith, Christine (Kevin) Hunt, Bill (Tiffany) Brown, Travis Gonzalez, Matthew Gonzalez, Benjamin (Mindy) Gonzalez, Gabriel Gonzalez, Jacob (Jenny) Petty, Wesley Petty, Jaclyn Crow, Shawn Gonzalez, Amy Gonzalez, Brian Jones, Sabrina (Kyle) Brooks, Tabitha Andrews, Max Wallach, Alex Wallach, Justin Gonzalez and Ashley Gonzalez; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; along with numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by four siblings: Eileen (Vincent) Castelli, Earl (Erma) Thompson, Ina (Carl) Moore and Lloyd (Virginia) Leigh; six sons-in-law: Wesley Petty, Randolph G. Smith, Jerry R. Messick, Richard Benedict, Randall Desroche and Rick Brown; a daughter-in-law: Sherry Jones; and one grandchild: Jeremiah Messick.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6300 Hwy. 30, in Cedar Hill. A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, Aug. 13, at the funeral home, followed by burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriners Hospital for Children. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary.