Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Lovey Anna (Coakley) Leavell 77, Sandusky, departed this earthly house, after a brief illness on Saturday, January 27, 2018, as the Lord called another angel home.
Lovey A. Leavell was born in Sandusky, Ohio April 17, 1940, to Elsie Coakley and Phoenix Gray. She was the only child born to Elsie Coakley.
Lovey attended Sandusky Public Schools where she was an outstanding student. She was an active member of the Historic Second Baptist Church where she served as the church secretary and Gospel Choir Director. Lovey also served as Sunday School Superintendent and taught children and adults.
Lovey's faith was one of the cornerstones of her life. The Historic Second Baptist Church was also the place where she met the individual who was to become her life partner, Dan Leavell. Dan and Lovey were married on September 7, 1957. To this union, four children were born; Daniel Jr., Eugene Lamont (stillborn), Douglas C, and Deanna Leavell.
When the children were young, Lovey chose to be a full-time stay-at- home mom. However, this did not last long, as she began working and volunteering for the Sandusky City Schools. She served as a teacher's aide, bus driver, and served as Treasurer for the Sandusky Band Parents Association.
Lovey worked at several jobs within the city, until she decided she wanted to become a real estate agent. She took the test, received her license and practiced this profession until the Lord took her home.
One day, she received a call from Darwitt Garrett. He was on his way to Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus, and wanted her to go with him. Lovey refused, but Darwitt, being Darwitt, would not accept her refusal. When Lovey left the campus, she was a freshman in college.
One of the most enjoyable periods of her life was during her under graduate courses at Bowling Green State University Firelands. It was there that she met another individual who became a life-long, friend Jacob Smith. Together, they challenged and frustrated their professors with endless questions and personal life experiences. Lovey was chosen by her peers as their student representative to the main campus. On two different occasions, she visited the United Nations, along with a few other students, in New York City. Lovey was an inspiration to many students. She graduated with honors, receiving one of the most prestigious awards Bowling Green State University Firelands can bestow on a student.
Lovey also became interested in politics. She worked on the campaign of many candidates, some of whom are still in office. She was a life member in the Sandusky Branch of the NAACP and was active in other civic and community organizations.
Education has always been a high priority in the Leavell household and Lovey always led by example. One of her unfinished goals was a diploma from Sandusky High School. Lovey left high school during her junior year to marry her soul mate, Daniel Leavell. As an active spouse, mother, church and community member, Lovey did not get an opportunity to fulfill this dream. However, her loving and dedicated husband surprised her at a board meeting in the fall of 2017; and the Sandusky Board of Education awarded her an official Sandusky High School diploma.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 61 years Daniel I. Leavell, Sr., daughter, Deanna C. Leavell, sons, Daniel I. Leavell, Jr. (Caroline Cotton) and Douglas C. Leavell, all of Sandusky. Special grandchildren Douglas Daniel Seavers, Sandusky, Chandiss C. Harvey and Isaac Samuel Harvey, both of Indianapolis, Indiana; nieces, Cheryl Leavell Johnson (Henry), April Ratcliffe (Walter) and several other nephews and nieces.
Special friends, Jacob and Lauren Smith, Gene and Ali Kinney, Brent and Ashley Smith, Mike and Paige Churchill, Verenna Carman, Ruth Knight all of Sandusky, and MarJean (Ronald) Karr, and Ethel Sims, both of Fremont, Ohio and two friends in Virginia.
Lovey was named correctly from birth, as she simply was a lovely and wonderful person. While God loved her more, she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Visitation will be from 10 A.M. until time of funeral services at12 P.M. Noon on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Calvary Baptist Church, 1810 Perkins Ave. Sandusky. Pastor David Hixson will officiate and provide the eulogy. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church.
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com
