Leliamay A. Ragusa

Leliamay Ariatti Ragusa (hereafter referred to as Leigh) was born on March 19,1935, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She departed to Paradise on August 1, 2019. Preceding her in death was one of her four children, Mark Leon Ragusa, who passed in 2014 at the age of 52.

Leigh met and married J. Fred Ragusa in New Orleans before departing to Galveston, Texas, in1959, the beginning of her husband’s career path. Additional location changes for business requirements included Beaumont, Dallas, and Houston in Texas, and Columbus, Ohio. Leigh built homes for her family in each of these locations because of her great love for home decoration. Our homes were an excellent testimony to business associates & friends that we take our presence seriously in our new community.

Leigh adapted to her changing environments very quickly through her personal presence and pursuit of Christ in her activities. Donna, our daughter and oldest of four children, described her mother as being known for her beauty, artistic nature, cleanliness, her passion for her Jesus, a prayer warrior, and involvement in various ministries that are synergistic with her strengths.

Leigh was instrumental as a witness to change for members of her family when she became born again to pursue Christ and not the world. At Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX, Leigh was vigorously involved in ministries to Missions, Wedding Procession Coordinator, Women of Esther, Bible Study Fellowship, CUFI, Children Summer School, and The Crossing.

The family’s faith has been tested most strenuously during the past ten years with my son and wife diagnosed with terminal disease. We follow the teaching of the bible. “We grow in faith in a similar manner of adversity we have to overcome.”

Leigh is succeeded in life by her husband of 64 years, J. Fred Ragusa. Her living children and families are as follows:

Daughter; Donna Palazzo-Giorgio and her husband Riccardo Palazzo-Giorgio, Son’s; Gary Ragusa and his wife Tami Ragusa, Greg Ragusa, Jeff Austin, Daughter-in-law; Angela Odo Ragusa widow of Mark Ragusa, Grandson’s; Brando with his wife Deniz Palazzo-Giorgio, and Jonathan Ragusa, Granddaughter’s; Elizabeth George, Jordyn with her husband Derrik Hakes, Toni with her husband John Mark Gates, and Morgan Ragusa, Great Grandchildren; Rylan Hakes, Hudson Hakes, and Cannon Gates, Siblings: John Ariatti with his wife Sandra, Robert Ariatti with his wife Peggy, and many cousins nieces and nephews and family friends.