Lelia Leggett

Lelia Mae Ferratt Leggett, “Lee”, was born in 1928, the daughter and first child of Lelia Owens Ferratt and John Powell Ferratt, who predeceased her. She graduated from Maury High School in 1946 and went to Longwood College where she was an elementary education major. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority and its chaplain for two years. She received her B. S. degree graduating cum laude in 1950. She taught fourth grade at Chesterfield Heights Elementary School in Norfolk for three years. In 1952 she married the love of her life, Albert Thomas Leggett and they had two children, Albert Thomas Leggett, Jr. (Kim) and Robin Lee Leggett Marohl. There are three grandsons, Albert Thomas Leggett, III (Christiane), Matthew (Heather) and Myles (Morgan) Marohl, and a granddaughter, Melissa (Ever) Reyes, all very dear to her; her great-grandchildren are Zariah and Mya Marohl, Ellianna and Mikayla Reyes, Elijah and Landon Haught, and Tommy Leggett. Lelia Mae also had a much loved brother, John P. Ferratt, Jr., who predeceased her, and his wife, Joyce; three nephews of whom she was very fond, Brion, Bruce and Mason Ferratt; and 7 great nephews and a great niece.

She was a substitute teacher in Norfolk and Virginia Beach schools. For a number of years, she was a docent at Lynnhaven House in VA Beach, a volunteer job that she enjoyed so much. She enjoyed playing bridge and played often with several different groups, one group she played with had played together regularly since the early 60’s in her former Ingleside neighborhood.

Community United Methodist Church and her church family were very dear to her and she was very active in the United Methodist Women and Deborah Circle, The Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Tuesday Morning Bible Study. She served as altar guild chairman for many years. She also belonged to the Community UMC Knitting Hearts, who knit prayer shawls, baby blankets and caps as needed by the church family.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8pm on Saturday at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 3rd at Community United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1072 Old Kempsville Rd, VA Beach, VA 23464.