- Date Of Birth: September 1, 1931
- Date Of Death: March 6, 2015
- State: Georgia
Jo Ann Paris Leavell, age 83, died March 6, 2015 in Jackson, Miss. following an extended illness.
Mrs. Leavell was born September 1, 1931 in Atlanta, Georgia, daughter of the late Earl Pierce Paris and the late Edna Black Paris. She graduated with a B.A. in Education from Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, Louisiana.
She was married to the late Dr. Landrum Pinson Leavell II of Newnan, Ga. from July 28, 1953 until his death in 2008. Dr. Leavell was a prominent pastor, serving churches across Mississippi and Texas. He also had a 20-year tenure as president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, during which time the seminary experienced record growth, outstanding success in fund raising and a significant expansion of its campus.
Mrs. Leavell, a minister’s wife for 55 years, cherished her role working alongside her husband as he served churches and the seminary. Over the course of their ministry she helped conduct family life conferences with her husband while lecturing at retreats, luncheons, and conventions around the country.
She served as the 1976 president of the Southern Baptist Convention Ministers’ Wives and two-time chairman of the interdenominational women’s conference, “Lord, Change Me.” In 1990, Mrs. Leavell received the Mrs. J. M. Dawson Award for distinguished ministers’ wives, an annual award given by the SBC Ministers’ Wives.
An accomplished author, Mrs. Leavell wrote books that focused on encouraging fellow ministers’ wives: Don’t Miss the Blessing, which was re-released with Dr. Rhonda Kelley in 2010, and Joy in the Journey. Mrs. Leavell loved to cook and to entertain and was happiest with a crowd of friends and family around her table. She had a contagious smile and shared it with everyone she met.
Mrs. Leavell is survived by her children, Dr. Landrum P. Leavell III (Susanne) of Denton, Texas; Ann Paris Leavell of Sardis, Ala.; Roland Q. Leavell II (Lisa) of Jackson, Miss.; and Dr. David E. Leavell (Vicki) of Millington, Tenn.; grandchildren, Gentry Leavell Booth (Russ) of Clinton, Miss.; JoAnn ‘Paris’ Leavell of Denton, Texas; Finis Leavell Beauchamp of Oxford, Miss.; Andrew Leavell Beauchamp of Jackson, Miss.; Jo Ann Leavell Cushman (Matthew) of Como, Miss.; David Leavell Beauchamp of Oxford, Miss.; Lucy Leavell Stembridge (Burk) of Jackson, Tenn.; Roland Quinche Leavell III (Mary Emily) of New Orleans, La.; John David Leavell of Martin, Tenn.; Laura Leigh Leavell of Memphis, Tenn.; and Justin ‘Walker’ Leavell of Millington, Tenn., as well as two great granddaughters.
