Leona Estep (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Laura Leona Estep, daughter of Ruben and Laura Annis Neville Lewis, was born September 13, 1926, in New Home, Texas. She departed this life Wednesday, February 3, 2016, in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years, four months, and twenty-one days.
Early in her life she was united in marriage to Clarence Lee Estep, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence, on August 18, 1986; and three brothers, Newton, Joe, and Jim Lewis.
Leona is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Estep, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Wayland Estep, of Lebanon, Missouri; a granddaughter, Kristy Dame, of Lebanon, Missouri; two step-grandchildren, Jason and Brandi Legan, both of Lebanon, Missouri; eight great-grandchildren; a niece, Kay Meyers; a nephew, Steven Lewis; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was born and raised in Texas and graduated from New Home High School. Soon after she and Clarence were married, they moved to Muncie, Indiana where they lived for sixteen years. The family then moved to Peoria, Illinois, for a few years, before making their home in the Grovespring community, in Missouri. Throughout the years, Leona was a devoted homemaker and a loving mother to her husband and children.
Leona had professed her belief in Christ and followed the Pentecostal faith throughout her life.
In her spare time she enjoyed doing embroidery projects, fishing and oil painting. She had a fondness for animals and particularly cats. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Leona was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during eighty-nine years.
There will be a family graveside service at a later date at the Steele Memorial Cemetery in Hartville, Missouri, under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Claws and Paws (Lebanon Humane Society) may be made through the funeral home.
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