Valina L. Leach

By | January 10, 2016

Valina L. Leach, age 74, died Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Holzer Medical Center Jackson following a brief illness. She was born November 24, 1941 to Guy F. Rawlins and Flora (Smith) Rawlins who preceded her in death. Linnie grew up in Jackson County, Ohio and spent most of her adult life there as well.

Linnie was known for her nurturing nature – one could not visit her home without her offering or “insisting” to cook a meal or snack for you. She was even known to throw together a batch of homemade bread the evening a sibling was arriving. She was also affectionately called “Gram Leach” by many young people in the area.

She is survived by her daughter, Tamera Leach-Wires (Amber), of Albany, Ohio; son, Timothy E. Leach (Susan), of Jackson; grandson, Joseph Leach, of Cincinnati; siblings, Harry (Wilma) Rawlins, of Indiana and Ressie Crabtree, of Circleville, Ohio. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Nancy, Jan, Patsy, Rose, Karen, Doris, Norma and Kathy, of Jackson; and brothers-in-law, Errol and Rick, of Jackson.

Linnie was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Leach, whom she married July 8, 1961. She is also preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua Wires, who she helped raise; sisters, Joyce, who died in infancy, Dorothy Parks, of Oak Hill, Freda Perkins, of Indiana and Mabel Wilson, of Jackson; brothers, Howard, Robert and Buell, of Jackson and Herbert, of Lancaster.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Fairmount Cemetery, weather permitting. Those attending the graveside service can meet at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Friends may call Monday, January 11, 2016 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com