Barbara Leak (affectionately known by her family as “Granny”), 82, of Arab, AL passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Wednesday evening, September 27, 2017. Granny was born at home in Richmond, IN to Forest Preston and Mary Colvin Laymon on January 6, 1935 (just 3 days before Elvis). She is survived by her daughtersSandy (& Paul) Brock and Nancy (& Keith) Bales, and son Brian (& Johanna) Clemons all of Arab; Grandsons Wesley Brock of Arab, Mark Bales of Huntsville, AL, Tyler Clemons of Madison, AL, and Ben Johnson of Arab, AL. Granddaughters Jennifer (& Josh) Buffaloe of Arab and Jessica (& Charles) Clark of Enterprise, AL; Great-Grandchildren Caleb and Luke Buffaloe, Eden, Charlie, and Lincoln Clark; two younger brothers, Larry (& Joyce) Laymon of New Carrollton, GA, and Robert Laymon, of Cummings, GA; and a host of nieces and nephews from Georgia, Ohio, Texas, and Arizona. Her parents and her younger sister, Carol Ann Colwell of Oxford, OH, preceded her in death.
She worked for many years as the owner/bookkeeper of Bill’s TV, sales associate at Sears, and manager of Ross’ Dress For Less, all in Arab, and then retired from Askew’s Office Supply in Huntsville, AL.
Granny had many talents (she sang on the radio at age 10) with her most important being the love and caring that she gave to her family. She was a Sunday school teacher at Arab First United Methodist Church for many years in the 1960s and 1970s. Her greatest joy was playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; family vacations; going to watch ice hockey and Broadway plays;listening to music; watching movies, TV and Alabama football; and she was an avid crossword puzzle solver. She was the glue that held the family together always hosting family birthday parties and dinners. She was always kind and gracious to everyone, never had anything bad to say about anyone, and believed that life should not only be lived but celebrated.
Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm this Saturday, September 30, at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, immediately followed by the funeral service at 1pm with Josh Garmany officiating, and burial to follow at Brashiers Chapel Cemetery in Arab.
