Faye Todd (born Jessie Faye Williams), a pioneering corporate executive, legendary entertainment director, and cherished matriarch, has passed away. Born in Lodi, Texas, in 1938, Faye experienced a profound loss at an early age when her mother passed away from cancer when Faye was just 12 years old. Following her mother’s death, her beloved Aunt Essie Spratt took her in and raised her in San Antonio, Texas. Her remarkable journey was defined by grace, determination, and a historic love story.

As a teenager, she met her future husband, James J. Todd, when he was riding his bicycle home after shining shoes all morning. Spotting a young girl selling Girl Scout cookies, James asked, “What do you have in that box, pretty girl?” When she cheekily replied that he didn’t have any money, James reached into his pocket and bought every box of her Girl Scout cookies, placed her on his handlebars, and rode off. This beautiful bond blossomed into a deeply devoted marriage spanning 73 incredible years.

In 1964, Faye Todd and James moved their family to Las Vegas, Nevada. Navigating the complex racial landscape of the era, Faye chose to empower herself by enrolling in adult education classes to master business administration and clerical skills. She worked at the Dunes Hotel prior to joining the Desert Inn Hotel & Casino, gaining valuable experience that helped open doors for her on the Las Vegas Strip.

By 1975, Faye Todd’s career took off when she was named Special Events Coordinator at the Desert Inn Hotel & Casino. In this role, she expertly organized high-profile golf and tennis tournaments while working closely with upper management and corporate fundraising sponsors.

In 1978, Faye Todd accepted what she described as “the perfect job” at the Landmark Hotel & Casino, stepping into history as the Entertainment Director and Corporate Executive Assistant. Managing the hotel’s daily operations for the owners, she made high-level executive decisions and shattered profound glass ceilings. Faye Todd became the first woman and the first African American individual to serve as an Entertainment Director in the history of the Las Vegas Strip.

She blazed a path for future generations, managing top-tier talent and even creating, writing, and producing her own celebrated production, Spellcaster. Following her time at the Landmark, she continued her prominent career at the Sahara Hotel until her retirement from the gaming industry in 1997.

Faye Todd’s ground-breaking achievements have left an indelible mark on history, to the extent that prominent national and local publications—including EBONY Magazine and Las Vegas SHOWCASE—sought her out for interviews to capture her historic perspective as a trailblazing executive.

Beyond her historic professional achievements, Faye Todd’s greatest legacy remains her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, James J. Todd; her three children, Arthur Todd (Pancho), Debbie Todd-Staten, and Valarie Todd; her two surviving siblings, Shirley Masters of California and Beverly Gipson of Texas; her four grandchildren, Christopher Todd, Kevin Todd, Amanda Staten, and Raquel Todd; and her great-grandchild, Zoë Staten-Tillman.

In accordance with her wishes, Faye Todd will be cremated. Her visionary spirit, elegant leadership, and enduring love will be profoundly missed and forever celebrated by her family, friends, and the city she helped shape.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at Fountain of Hope AME Church, located at 2955 East Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89120. Additionally, please sign the digital guestbook below to leave a loving message or positive memory of Faye, as well as order flowers or plant a tree in her honor.