Anna Marie Leys, 94, passed away peacefully in Decatur, April 22, 2009, following a courageous 3 year struggle with cancer. Born February 21,1915 in Gillingham, Wisconsin, Anna Marie was the youngest of eight children (five brothers and three sisters) born to Flavius Eugene ("Gene") and Nellie Fitzgerald Gillingham, whose ancestors were responsible for settling and establishing this rich farming community just eight miles north of Richland Center, Wisconsin. In 1935 she married George Leys. They lived in Evanston, Illinois, where he was employed by American Hospital Supply Corporation (now Baxter Healthcare). It was in Evanston that she gave birth to the first two of their three children, Carol Ann and William Eugene. In 1946, George was transferred to Atlanta to open the southeast area for American Hospital Supply and the family settled in Decatur, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. In that same year, Anna Marie gave birth to their third child, Susan Jane. Aside from being a wonderful home maker, raising three children, involvement with PTA activities at school and maintaining an active social life, she also enjoyed a long career in the insurance business; first for Bill Broyles' Insurance Agency in Decatur and later for over 20 years at the Holmes Agency as secretary to Marion C. Holmes. She and George were also active members of Decatur First United Methodist Church, and in later years, with North Decatur First United Methodist, where she was active in the United Methodist Women. Throughout her life, Anna Marie was a loving wife and dedicated mother with a delightful sense of humor. She was always willing to help those less fortunate than herself, whether it was family, friends or a complete stranger. Those who knew her saw the love of Christ shine brightly through her. Anna Marie so closely epitomized the Wife of Noble Character referenced in Proverbs 31:20; 25-31, that her children rise up and call her blessed. Anna Marie was predeceased by her parents Gene and Nellie Gillingham; brothers Vivian, Charles, Theron, Willard and Sanford; sisters, Pauline and Geraldine; husband, George and her youngest daughter, Susan Jane. Survivors include her daughter, Carol Ann Jones (Neil) of Stone Mountain, Ga.; son William Eugene (Bill) Leys (Karon) of Helena, Al; grandsons, Steven Smith Furse of Clarksville, TN, Daniel Wesley Jones of Stone Mountain, GA, Thomas Walton Jones (Jort)of Snellville, GA, Bradford Kelly Jones (Stacey) of Covington, GA, William Eugene (Billy) Leys, Jr. (Toshi) of Mobile, AL; a granddaughter, Darlene Renee' Leys of Helena, AL; 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins, as well as her 102 year old sister-in-law, Lucretia Gillingham. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to her caregiver, Margaret Souza, whose loving care, kindness, and companionship were such a blessing for Anna Marie in the final months of her life. Visitation will be held at A. S. Turner & Sons in Decatur on Friday, Apri1 24, from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a private family burial the next day. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087-7106, or to Soaring Eagle at 745 Indian Trail, Billings, Montana 59105. A. S. Turner & Sons
