Obituary of Deserae Leigh Leeper

Deserae Leigh Leeper, 21, of 115 Tyler Place, Warren, Pa., passed away suddenly January 1, 2017. She was born in Jamestown on March 12, 1995 and was a 2014 graduate of Warren Area High School. Deserae participated in dance, soccer and as a cheerleader for DeMarco's Galaxy Cheerleading Team. She was employed by Public Partnerships in Warren County as a personal care aide. Deserae was a kindhearted and beautiful young woman with a free spirit. She loved cats and all kinds of music. Her smile could light up anyone's soul. She loved her family and friends with all her heart. Deserae was adventurous and she loved to travel; the Bahamas family vacation was her favorite journey, including swimming with dolphins that made the excursion her most memorable. She was selfless, always willing to help others without hoping for anything in return; she was driven by her empathy for others; she was delighted by romance – she was truly the definition of a Pisces. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her. Deserae is survived by her mother, Melissa Stearns (and companion, Chris Robinson) of Fayetteville, NC; father, HaShaun Lewis Leeper, Sr. of Jamestown; a brother, Sonny Leeper of Jamestown and sister, Gianna Stearns of Fayetteville. Also surviving are: maternal great-grandmother, Lucy Fowler and great-grandfather, Jim Stearns; maternal grandparents, Chris and Karen Stearns; uncle and aunt, Aaron and Carissa Stearns; aunt Amy Thompson and her companion, Kevin Roberts; and step-grandmother, Karen Leeper; as well as Deserae's boyfriend, Kyle Miller. Additionally is surviving paternal great-grandmother, Abbie Jones; paternal grandmother, Jeanette Jones; an uncle, Henry Leeper; and uncle and aunt, Aaron and Karen Leeper. Deserae was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandmother, Pat Stearns and paternal grandfather, Manuel L. Leeper. A celebration of Deserae's life will be held at 5 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home.