Michele Leatherbery

Michele Tameris Cook Leatherbery, 74, succumbed to acute idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 16 August 2024 at Easley Baptist Hospital in Easley SC.

Michele was born 17 June 1950 in Battle Creek MI to Henry George Tameris and Saloma Beukelman Tameris. She learned in parochial elementary schools, Kellogg Junior High and BC Central High Schools of Battle Creek, followed by BA and MA from Western Michigan University. Beginning in her childhood, Glenn Edward Cook stepped in and provided the love and support of a Godly father to the extent that Michele took his name later in her life.

Michele spent her entire career as social worker in the Lakeview School District. And oh what a blessing she was to the children and parents! A major contribution was parenting classes in her schools. She counseled parents in the evening, on her own time, weekly, for years. She was also a wonderful field instructor as she mentored students learning toward masters degrees in social work. Her awards ranged from region (11 counties) school social worker of the year to State of Michigan school social worker of the year and state representative at the national conference in the early 90's. She did not realize she would be expected to give a speech, but she rose to the occasion: She wrote her speech notes on the cardboard insert of a nylons stocking package! That was all she had to compose on!

Among her first referrals as a social worker was Mary Ann LeQuier, whom Michele mentored from parental abandonment because of physical deformity in Coldwater State Home to a group home to Cherry Hill Manor government housing, capable of self care. Michele and her family adopted Mary Ann into their hearts and treated her as family, including gifts of clothing, hosting in all holidays and family celebrations, and frequent conversations. She was a blessing to the family, as were Michele and her family to Mary Ann.

Michele worked in Lakeview her entire career, where she was loved, respected and admired. When the district was incorporated into the Calhoun County system in 2004, Lakeview refused to give her up to other districts. What a testimony!

A major joy of Michele was international travel pre- and post-retirement: earlier Lebanon, Japan, China, Canada and more recently six safari-based jaunts in Africa, where her photographs are worthy of National Geographic.

After retirement in Battle Creek, her only sister convinced her to relocate to South Carolina, where she bought a comfortable home 3 miles from her sister, the better to care for her cats of variable sources.

Both Michele and her high school sweetheart diverged on life’s pathway for near 50 years. After his wife passed away, Scott remembered Michele and was able to find her. After long-distance dating from Pittsburgh, they married 15 April, 2023 and were able to enjoy 16 months of happy marriage following an African honeymoon.

Michele is survived by sister, Renee Salome Lambert (Jerry) of Central SC, cousins Bonnie Beukelman Watson (Greg) of Marietta GA and Becky Beukelman Whitcomb (Curt) of Boise ID, and her husband Scott Leatherbery.

Funeral is scheduled 11:00 AM Thursday 22 August 2024 at Lawrence Chapel UMC church, 2101 Six Mile Hwy, Central SC, with interment following.

In lieu of flowers, honorary donations are suggested to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/), Lawrence Chapel Childrens Ministries (https://tinyurl.com/4kc3zzfe), any Humane Society, or other charity of choice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.