Leah Minnie Nelson Leach Leah Minnie Nelson Leach was born the first of eight children to Raymond and Francis Wardwell Nelson on January 5, 1925, Fremont, Ohio. When she was two years old her family moved to St. Louis, Michigan where she attended school through the eighth grade. She graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1944 and graduated from Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1947. During that time, she was a member of the United States Army Nurse Cadet Corps. After the war ended, she moved to Bethany and attended Bethany Peniel College (SNU) while working for Dr. Paul Macrory. She was his beloved nurse from 1948 to 1965. Leah married the love of her life, Edward Raymond Leach in 1953. They had two children, Joy Leach Bowes and Paul Edward Leach. In 1965, she was hired as one of Putnam Citys first full-time school nurses. Many remember her as their school nurse at Western Oaks Elementary and Middle School, later becoming the health coordinator for Putnam City Schools. At the death of her husband, Ed, she retired in 1986. She spent more than 40 years as a professional nurse with Bethany Childrens Center, Dr. Paul Macrory, Putnam City Schools, and Dr. Paul Rothwell. Ed, Leah, Joy and Paul attended Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene until 1965 when they moved to Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, which she attended until her death. Leah taught Sunday school, sang in a trio and choir at Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene. When they moved to Bethany First Nazarene, she joined the choir and enjoyed participating in their many activities. In the 80s, she and Ed joyfully supported the church orchestra by serving donuts and coffee each Sunday morning. Along with her nursing career, her favorite activity was volunteering for Deaconess Hospital (28 years). There she made some of her dearest friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Raymond Leach ("Pete"), her parents, Raymond and Francis Nelson, sister, Lois Trotter and brothers, Gerald and Lyle Nelson. She leaves behind her daughter, Joy Leach Bowes and husband Greg of Oklahoma City; son, Paul Edward Leach and wife Wanda of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Krysten Teagarden and husband Tom and their three children, Ethan, Colton, and Grant of Newport News, Virginia, Tyler, Corbin, and Anna Leach of Austin, Texas and Nicholas Bowes and his wife Cristina of Iowa City, Iowa; also, brother, Don Nelson of Southern CA; sisters, Dorothy Grice, Donna Burt and husband Dale, Alice Near and husband Dick, all residing in Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. Leahs greatest joys were watching her grand and great-grandchildren grow and develop. She took great pride in their activities and accomplishments. Their visits and shared vacations brought fun times and much happiness. Leah was a positive influence on the lives of countless friends and family by her acts of quiet devotion, kindness, and concern. Her heart lived through her hands. She made any imaginable item that needle and thread could create. During the last two years of her life, she struggled bravely with the devastating effects of ALS, passing away August 3, 2018. We are forever grateful for her caregivers, Clara Raath and Sheri Gilliland, special friends, Kelly Dedmon, Paula Douglass, Nancy McGuire, Ava Lou Watson, Harlan and Barbi Moore, and we cannot forget the weekly cheerful cards from Trisha Heath as well as special care by Russell Murray Hospice. Viewing will be Thursday, 9am-9pm at Mercer-Adams. Memorial service will be Friday, August 10, 2:00pm at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Memorial Service Bethany First Church of the Nazarene Friday, August 10, 2018 2:00 PM 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 Viewing will be Thursday, 9am-9pm at Mercer-Adams