LaNoir B. Dawkins-Leeper

If life is a song worth singing, then every breath taken should exude the melody, the harmony and the rhapsody of LaNoir B. Dawkins-Leeper. After a brief illness, LaNoir transitioned peacefully on Friday, September, 30, 2016. She was 84. Within a span of eight amazing decades, this incredible woman found a way to leave an indelible mark on the life of every person she touched. The result of it all? This world is a better place. She has served from the bottom to the top providing exemplary leadership and given definition to the true meaning of servant and mentor at its best. The unforgettable moment in time was September 15, 1932. It was then that LaNoir made her grand entrance into the world. Delivered by a midwife in Okolona, Arkansas she was the beloved daughter of Perry O. Bragg, Sr., and Beulah Beatrice Davis Bragg. Family played a key role in the development and shaping of her life. LaNoir accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a little girl. She was a life-long member of West End Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder, treasurer, assistant pianist and choir director. Being the consummate planner with a personal intent to solidify her knowledge she studied the Presbyterian Church and knew it. She was a stalwart leader and worked on many Presbytery & Synod committees and task forces. She was the leader of the African/American Council of the Synod of the Sun, board member of the Arkansas Black Presbyterian Caucus where she headed Justice and Public Affairs and Moderator for Stewardship and Funding for the 201st General Assembly. She was director of a multi-cultural conference at Mo-Ranch, Presbytery & Synod Coordinating teams, Justice and Peace coordinator, moderator of Cross Cultural ministry network, coordinator for African/American Ministries and served as a member of the general council of the Presbytery of Arkansas. She often said “LaNoir is retired from the workforce, but not the Presbyterian Church.” LaNoir attended Peake High School and received her high school diploma in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. She excelled as a student and always was serious about obtaining her education. She furthered her education and enrolled at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She taught school in Blytheville, Arkansas and moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the U. S. Navy Department. In the early 60’s she moved back to Arkadelphia and worked as a substitute teacher with the Arkadelphia Public Schools and the Clark County Agricultural Extension Services. On April 15, 1965 she started what would be a longstanding career with Patterson and Jones Mills Reduction Plants of Reynolds Metal Company. She retired in 1989 after 25 years of continuous employment. She was highly respected and made history in becoming the company’s first black and only female apprentice coordinator at that time. LaNoir continued her education and in 1980 she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 1989 she met and married S. T. Leeper who was a founding member of Men United, Inc., and Gennesaret Missionary Baptist Church. A true servant in every aspect of the word LaNoir did not mind lending her time, talent and treasures to many people, causes and organizations. She was a member of the AR Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, served with 3 Governor Appointments to the Board of Trustees of Ouachita Technical College, secretary of Concerned Citizens to elect Sam Horton to the Arkadelphia School Board and Vice President of Arkadelphia Church Women United. Of all the notable titles and respected positions she was a loving wife, a super mother, sweet grandmother, proud aunt and a true friend. She loved to cook and specialized in lemon ice box pies. She would spend countless hours talking about the current events and just keeping in contact with her family and friends. LaNoir was a crossword puzzle enthusiast and loved the puzzles published in the Democrat Gazette and Daily Siftings Herald. She enjoyed problem-solving and even auditioned for the Wheel of Fortune. She believed that a person never fails….they learn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry O. Bragg, Sr., and Beulah Beatrice Davis Bragg; her brothers, Harvey Davis, Perry O. Bragg, Jr. (November 16, 1999) and her beloved husband S. T. Leeper (January 9, 2008).LaNoir leaves an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of many people who learned from her, aspired greater positions because of her and saw her manage her life as an example of how greatness is really achieved. A lifetime of love and memories will be felt by her children: Theresa B. Dawkins-Franklin of Bryant, AR, and Rory (Erma) Dawkins of Arkadelphia, AR; a step-son, Sam Thomas Leeper of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren, Tesha Sanders and Sharlton Merriman both of Atlanta, GA, Tia S. Thomas of Arlington, TX and Promise Jackson of North Little Rock, AR; three great-grandchildren Adon, McKenzie and Aiden; and a sister-in-law, JoMarie Bragg of Arkadelphia; nieces and nephews she helped raise Lana Ansley, Rodney L. Bragg, Sr., Carlton Bragg and her beloved white pit-bull, Candi. She also leaves her other nieces and nephews, Mary Catherine Davis, Roderick Bragg, Bradford Bragg, Yvette Bragg, Pamela Bragg, Lonniya Bragg whom she was very proud of; including great-nieces and nephews, other relatives, her close friends, LoWanna Morehead, Annette Boson and Anita of Washington, D.C.,  other innumerable friends and the West End Presbyterian Church family. Public visitation begins at 5:00 p.n. and the family will receive friends from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2016 at West End Presbyterian Church, 1700 Logan Street. A service in honor of her life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, 1220 Pine Street, with Pastors Kenneth and Claire Rhodes, officiating. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.