Elizabeth Virginia Dabney "Debbi" Leek was born on Saturday, July 27, 1929, and passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at the age of 91. She was the daughter of Ewing L. Maupin, and Hattie Maupin, and was one of twelve siblings: Jo Anna Sanders, Princess Ellis, Mary Jackson, Sam Chambers, Woodrow Chambers, Wudy Maupin, Milford Chambers, Herbert Chambers, and Burton Eugene, Bertie Louise, Florence Ola, who died as infants. Elizabeth Leek was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a good, kind, generous, and decent person, who helped many in need.
She is survived, and will be missed, by sister Jo Anna Sanders, sons Charlie Barrett and Chris Leek; grandchildren Carla Caroll, Beth Sterling, Zackery Leek, Brittany Leek; great grandchildren Peyton Carroll, Richard (Bo) Carroll, Chandler Sterling, Sawyer Sterling, and Brooklyn Leek, and daughters in-law Yvonne Barrett, Delores Leek, and Kim Anderson; and nieces and nephews too numerous to list here, but especially by Mary Lou Tomlinson, her loving niece, who helped us care for her, in her final years.
While going through family photographs, I came across a letter, that she wrote in 1938. It captures, in her own words, her sweet, innocent, caring nature, that never left her: "Dear Santa Claus: I want a bicycle that is all I want. If you can not bring me a bicycle I want a scooter. And don't forget my Mother and Daddy. And don't forget other little children. And don't forget to bring my little sister a tricycle. I may be up there to see you, and don't forget my brothers and sisters. I am 9 years old. Your friend, Elizabeth Maupin/Route #1 Box 408, Memphis, TN, December 1, 1938"
After the loss of a loved one, you have to learn to believe that they have passed away. It does not come naturally, and that is certainly the case with Elizabeth Leek.
It's been said that "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory."
Elizabeth Leek will not be forgotten; she will be preserved, and live on, in our memories.
We love, and miss you, Mom. The thoughtfulness, generosity, kindness, and humor exhibited in your daily life, on matters great and small, are examples of a life well lived, that we can all hope to aspire to, in our daily lives.
Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
"I think about my mother every day, but not as concertedly as I used to. She crosses my mind like a spring cardinal that flies past the edge of your eye: startling, luminous, lovely, gone." Author/Poet Meghan O'Rourke .
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Memorial Park South Woods (5485 Hacks Cross Road, Memphis, TN 38125). Elizabeth Leek was a long time member of Christ the King Catholic Church. If anyone would like to send a memorial, in lieu of flowers, they can send it to Christ the King Building Fund, 785 Church Rd. West, Southaven, MS 38671