Barbara Lee Bowers Leathers realized the promises of her lifelong faith and met her Creator at NMMC in Tupelo after suffering a stroke a week earlier. She was 82 years old. Born in Hubbard, Ohio on October 19, 1939 to the late Jess Bowers and Virginia Morrow Bowers, Barbara was raised there and graduated from the public schools. She attended Business/Secretarial school. She married James Kirby Leathers in 1960 and they settled in his hometown of Bolivar, Tn. In the early l970’s, she, Kirby and their children moved to Memphis, Tn. where she was employed in the Banking industry. In the early 1980’s, she launched a career that lasted almost 40 years with the IBM Corporation with her retiring at age 80 as Chief Financial Analyst. The IBM job moved them to tenures in Little Rock and Atlanta before they officially moved to the Tupelo area 12 years ago. Barbara was smart, outgoing and lots of fun to be with. She was never ashamed of her love for Jesus and lived a Godly life. She was deeply involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) through her Church in the Atlanta area, Mountain View United Methodist Church and maintained her biblical learning with affiliation locally at The Orchard and their Small Group study. She loved reading the Bible and Christian literature. A brilliant career lady, Barbara loved working but her real love was spoiling her grandchildren. She loved traveling, seeking knowledge and fellowship with family and friends.
A celebration of her life will be announced in the not too distant future by Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo, which is honored to be serving their friends. Those who wish to express condolences may do so by emailing to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 62 years, Kirby Leathers of Saltillo; her daughter , Debi McGhie and husband, Michael of Tupelo; a son, Scott Leathers of Saltillo; 4 beloved grandchildren, Katie Leathers, William Hunter McGhie, Michael Garret McGhie and Rachael Kirby; a brother, Ted Bowers and wife, Carolyn of Selmer, Tn. and her best friend who was like a sister, Julia Belisario of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Virginia Bowers.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the NMMC Inpatient Hospice Program, 830 South Gloster St., Tupelo, MS. 38801
