Obituaries - November 23, 2011 - Sandra Wimberly Leathery
Sandra Wimberly Leathery, 47, a diaconal minister serving in The United Methodist Church, died unexpectedly in her sleep Nov. 23, 2011. A memorial service was held Dec. 7 at Millian Memorial UMC, her home church. The Rev. Alice Ford officiated. The Rev. Keary Kincannon from Rising Hope UMC in Alexandria, Va., where she had worked, delivered the homily. Also participating were District Superintendent Evan Young, the Rev. Earl Sulmonetti and Pastor Bruno Torres.
She and Paul Leathery were married in 1999. They had two children.
Leathery became a diaconal minister in 1999 and usually served churches as director of children’s ministries. Her first church was her home church, Millian Memorial UMC from 1999-2001. She also served Westminster UMC in 2001-02, Rising Home UMC 2005-2006, Monocacy Valley Church (independent) 2007-2008; and Concord-St. Andrews UMC 2010-2011. At Rising Hope she was director of volunteer ministries, and she did a number of small jobs in between the churches.
One of those was several trips to Guatemala to adopt their son in 2002. He was 11 months old and had a cleft palate when he came with his new parents to the U.S.
Her whole ministry was being an advocate for the lost, lonely and left out, said her husband. She had plans to attend Wesley Theological Seminary to become an ordained Deacon.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Leathery, and two children at home, Matthew D. Leathery (10) and Laura R. Leathery (7), and her mother, Mescal Bradford Wimberly of Cambridge.
Condolences may be sent to Paul Leathery, 12536 Great Park Circle, Apt. 101, Germantown, MD 20876.
Memorial contributions may be made to Millian Memorial UMC, 13016 Parkland Drive, Rockville, MD 20853.
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