Obituary of Fannell D. Leeper

Fannell Delorse Leeper died peacefully at home on December 23, 2023 at age 74. She was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was born to Calvin and Lena Mae Leeper on May 27, 1949 in Kistler, West Virginia. Fannell graduated from Jamestown High School. She then attended Empire State College where she studied Human Services. She retired from The Resource Center and worked as a children's counselor at the Randolph Children's Home and Gustavus Adolphus (G.A.) Family Services. She also worked for two years at the Chautauqua County Jail. She was a woman who deeply loved God and served as an ordained minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She loved and cherished her family dearly. She was full of energy, quick-witted, and always found a way to make others smile. Her fascinating recollections of family stories remained fully intact, and was often referred to as the "Family Historian". She was an excellent cook and baker. She enjoyed playing cards and being a grandmother. Surviving are her three daughters: Terri "Jody" Austin of Toledo, OH, Millicent "Slim" Leeper and Kemyatta "Boom" Austin of Jamestown, NY; five grandchildren: Darin Butts Jr., Darien Butts and Bishop Butts all of Jamestown, NY, Peyton Butts of St. Petersburg, FL and Sharie Anderson of Toledo, OH; seven great-grandchildren: Rajon Butts, Legend Butts, and Legaci Butts all of Jamestown, NY, Sophia Butts, and Saleen Butts of Stockton, NY, Josiah Anderson and Xavier Tate of Toledo, OH; four sisters Calvinia Knight, Gloria (Frank) Murphy, Phyllis Kinsey and Diane Hicks all of Jamestown; three brothers Ronnell Leeper, Wayne (Melody) Leeper and Calvin (Burnetta) Leeper all of Jamestown, NY; sister-in-law's: Kathie Leeper, Glenda Leeper, Debbie Leeper and Karen Bjorkholm-Leeper all of Jamestown, NY; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Fannell was predeceased by her parents, Calvin and Lena Mae Leeper and brothers: Richard Leeper Sr., Manuel Leeper, Roger Leeper and Gregory Leeper The funeral will be at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Emmanuel Baptist Church. The Rev. Leroy Walker, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 10 am-noon Tuesday in the church. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.