Tressie Mae Leeper

God hath made everything beautiful in His time. On December 19, 1928, He brought forth Tressie Mae, one of His most beautiful and valuable creations.   Tressie Mae was born to Willis and Mattie Mae Jones Johnson. She grew up in Okolona surrounded by the love of her sisters and brothers. Her roots of faith are grounded in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where she served faithfully through her time and resources until her health began to decline. Tressie Mae was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and later worked as a nurse’s assistant for several years at the Murfreesboro Nursing Center. God entrusted Tressie with the greatest task of all - to nurture, raise, and love ten children. Her love, sharing, and generosity never ran out. She was a quiet mannered woman, cheerful, and was well known throughout the community. Family and friends will miss her smile as well as her love, but will never forget her mild spirit and compassionate heart. Because love is far greater than death, she departs this earth in body only. On May 31, 2010 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia she surrendered her soul to Christ. Awaiting to welcome her to her eternal home are her parents, one daughter, Annie J. Leeper , one brother, Willie Ray Johnson and one granddaughter, Kimberly L. Leeper. Her life could never be duplicated, and her influence will live on in the lives of her children: Rae Evelyn (Raymond) Adams of Malvern, Lois J. Anderson, Jonnie E. (Carl) Leeper, Howard (Louise) Leeper and John (Jennifer) Leeper, Sr., all of Okolona; Mary Leeper and Dennis Leeper of Los Angeles, Ardis (Marion) Leeper of Germany, and Danny (Anita) Leeper of Seattle, Washington; two sisters, Mae Sue (Sylvester) Williams of Okolona and Arzola Cook of Blytheville; twenty four grandchildren, twenty three great-grandchildren and sixteen great-great grandchildren. Mrs. Leeper will lie in state in the funeral home on Friday, June 4, 2010, 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2010, 2:00 p.m. in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Rufus R. Hatley officating. The committal service and final resting place in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.