Betty Joan Leach

Betty Joan Leach, age 77, passed away peacefully January 9, 2021 due to a degenerative disease. She was born December 11, 1943 in Rockville, Indiana to Russell and Donvia Measel. She married her lifetime love, James Norman Leach, in February of 1968 who preceded her in death in 2017.

Betty was born & raised in Rosedale, Indiana. She received her undergraduate degree in education at Indiana State University where she also played basketball.  She went on to earn her master’s degree in education at the University of Tennessee.  Betty devoted her life to physical education.  She taught high school in Richmond, Indiana and supported Jim, teaching at the university level, as he worked toward his degree at Ball State University.  They returned to Richmond, and she continued her passion of educating middle school students at Dixon Middle School in Eaton, Ohio until her retirement.  She was also a very successful basketball and volleyball coach and led a volleyball team to two undefeated seasons.  Her impact on the lives of young people was great.

Betty was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Richmond, Indiana.  She loved serving in numerous roles and was an active member in the women’s Bible Study Fellowship.  She also attended Bethany Methodist Church in Summerville, South Carolina where she directed their annual drive-thru live nativity.  Her love of God and others shined through in her service to her church.  She strived to live a life of acceptance, one day at a time, and inspired others who also turned their will and their lives over to the care of God. 

She was a loving and selfless woman, who devoted her life to her late husband Jim Leach as his cherished wife, to being the treasured mother of Angie Matras and her husband Eric, the adoring grandmother of Jordan Wiggins, the faithful sister to Barb and Larry Brown, and Bev and Phil Jenkins, and is also survived by many adored nieces and nephews.

A private ceremony will be held at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina where her ashes will be laid to rest with her husband.  A celebration of life will be held this summer in Richmond, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

https://hospicecommunitycare.org/give-back/ (Choose “Memorial Gift.”)

If sending a check, please send to:

Hospice Community Care

PO Box 993

Rock Hills, SC 29731

Memo:  In honor of Betty Leach

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