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Leigh Edwards Obituary

Leigh Smitherman Edwards
1956-2021
Leigh Smitherman Edwards (born September of 1956) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 30, 2021. Born in Houston to Betty Jo and Gene Smitherman, Leigh was the eldest of three. From an early age Leigh was known for her big heart, endless kindness, creative flair, and hilarious sense of humor, all of which would become her signatures. Leigh's early knack for writing led to awards in journalism at Lee High School where she was editor of the newspaper; she also later was a writer for the Vanderbilt University newspaper. It was at Vanderbilt that her love for art developed and flourished. After graduation she returned to Houston and started in the art business working with Larry and Marjorie Kauffman; she also began a lifelong commitment to her Bible study, a place where she lead, participated, inspired, and made enduring friends. Her magnetism was not limited to those dear friends as Leigh managed to turn down four marriage proposals before meeting the love of her life, Bob Edwards, through a mutual friend. The couple was so engrossed in conversation during their first date that the restaurant kitchen closed before they ordered; unsurprisingly marriage followed eleven months later, in January 1989. Bob was Leigh's perfect match -- he a sharp engineer turned businessman with a goofy sense of humor and mischievous side, while Leigh a natural cheerleader with a core talent for finding joy and happiness in every nook and cranny of life. Leigh encouraged Bob to take a leap of faith and apply to Stanford University for a Master's degree by saying "it's just the cost of a postage stamp", while Bob encouraged Leigh to find success in running her own art consulting company. That postage stamp led to three beautiful years at Stanford and lifelong friendships. The couple welcomed their two daughters, Alston and Francie, in Palo Alto, followed shortly by their son, Teddy, in Houston. While Leigh experienced success in every facet of her life, her greatest joy was in her role as a mom to her three children. Leigh was known throughout the family and her West U neighborhood for her creative games, art projects, and make-believe stories. She volunteered to teach students throughout Houston about art, hoping to instill in them her same passion that she had developed as a college student. When Bob's career took the family first to Singapore and then to London, Leigh looked at the opportunities as new adventures. From Singapore they explored most of Southeast Asia, and in London, Leigh made some of her dearest friends in her pub club and her running group. After London, the Edwards family moved to Dallas where Leigh became an active volunteer in the St. Mark's School of Texas community. With characteristic grace and faith, Leigh fought Early Onset Alzheimer's disease for over a decade, remaining joyful and positive through to the end. She is survived by her husband, Bob, her children, Alston White and husband Jordan, Francie Chomic and husband Max, and Teddy Edwards and fiancé Mary Hinton. In the last year and half of her life Leigh experienced the ultimate joy of greeting her three grandchildren: MaryLeigh Chomic, Lily Edwards, and Emory White. In addition, she will be missed by her siblings, John and Lois Smitherman and their children, Eben and Marylynn, and Mary Nell and Bill Browning and their children Mary Bell and Gregory Clement and Ina Browning; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol and Jim Snodgress and their children Sarah and Ryan Eppehimer and Kelly and Mike Snodgress. It is impossible to describe not just how much she will be missed by her family and friends, but also how very much she added to their lives. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the many caregivers for the kindness and care they provided Leigh from the minute they met her. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leigh's honor may be made to the Glassell School of Art Annual Fund Drive, www.mfah.org/give/glassell-school-annual-fund, providing access to art education to children in the Houston community. A service celebrating Leigh's life will be held at River Oaks Baptist Church on Saturday, April 3 at 11:00am. To join via livestream: https://zoom.us/ Meeting ID: 913 6391 6861 Passcode: 139714

Published by Houston Chronicle from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
for Leigh Edwards

Sponsored by Integrity Funeral Care - Houston.

Not sure what to say?





She was so pretty she will be missed.

Priscilla Bryan

School

September 20, 2022

I knew Leigh at Vanderbilt. I remember meeting her the summer before my freshman year. So very sorry for your loss. I hadn´t seen her in many years but will always remember the kindness she showed to others.

Katherine Hill

School

February 19, 2022

Leigh and I were on the staff of the newspaper together at Lee High School. Years later while my family and I were living in The Netherlands we saw each other at a sports tournament at the American School of The Hague. She looked exactly the same as she did in high school so it was easy to recognize her. She was so lovely - gracious, kind, smart, creative. I was so sorry to hear of her passing.

Liz Maddox Young

Friend

April 5, 2021

Dear Edwards Family,
Our prayers are with you We met Leigh and you all during our time in London at ASL. Your mom and wife radiated kindness. God bless you all.

Marilyn Hans

Friend

April 5, 2021

Dear Edwards Family,
Our prayers are with you We met Leigh and you all during our time in London at ASL. Your mom and wife radiated kindness. God bless you all.

Marilyn Hans

Friend

April 5, 2021

Dear Edwards Family,
Our prayers are with you We met Leigh and you all during our time in London at ASL. Your mom and wife radiated kindness. God bless you all.

Marilyn Hans

Friend

April 5, 2021

Leigh was such a good childhood friend. I met her in 5th grade and spent so much time with her until graduating from high school. We were in choir together at River Oaks Baptist Church and I grew to love her and her brother and sister. She was one of the kindest and gentle people I have ever known. If she didn't represent the love of Christ - I'm not sure anyone could. This world was not her home and she is longing for us to join her, even now. Blessings to her family - our prayers for you all.

Rusty Bannerman

Friend

April 3, 2021

Clare Broun Johnson

April 3, 2021

I just found this Guest Book, and although my entry isn't until today, I have thought of little else but precious Leigh since learning of her passing. Heaven sure gained a true angel and our world lost one of its brightest lights, always beaming from the inside out. My heartfelt condolences to Leigh's family. Much love, Clare Broun Johnson

Clare Broun Johnson

Friend

April 3, 2021

My deepest sympathy to Leigh's family. I have albums full of memories of her from high school, when she was a close, loyal friend and bright star for me and many others. As sad as it makes me to hear of her untimely death, I can't think about her without smiling. I'm sure her beauty, her faith, and her love will live on in her children and grandchildren. God bless you all.

Betty Macdonald Powell

April 3, 2021

She was the mosh happy person ! His smile will always live in my heart .
My sincere condolences to all the Familie .

Darcy Aguirre

Significant Other

April 3, 2021

Paula Mitchell

April 2, 2021

Thinking of all of Leigh’s family at this time of her loss. Alston and our son, Miles Abell were in the same class at River Oaks Baptist. I remember Leigh always being gracious, pretty, and kind. Sending heartfelt prayers as your mourn her passing, and thank the Lord for her beautiful life. ❤

Melinda Abell

Melinda Abell

Friend

April 2, 2021

I thank Leigh for helping to introduce my sister, Jennifer Bily Moore,both to the fun and excitement of their first apartment ,and to her
husband,Tom.
Leigh was a lovely person,inside and out!
Betsy Bily Naylor

Betsy Jo Naylor

Friend

April 1, 2021

Betty Moody

April 1, 2021

Howard" chip" W. Horne jr.

March 31, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to the family. May God bless and protect you all in your moment of grief.

I had the pleasure of knowing Leigh at Vanderbilt University and was always impressed with her class and elegance at such a young age. Though we lost contact after Vanderbilt I am not at all surprised to learn of her influence and accomplishments in life. She was a special angel amongst us.

Robert Robertson

Friend

March 31, 2021

I am so terribly sorry for your loss - Leigh was amazing. We became friends at River Oaks Baptist preschool and went all through school together. My good fortune was getting to work with her as a cohort at Houston Ballet. There are not enough accolades I could express about one of the dearest people I’ve ever met. She will be so missed. God bless you all.

Allison Potts Anderson

Friend

March 31, 2021

I had the pleasure to have Leigh in the youth ministry group at ROBC for 3 years. She was a great kid, a leader and encourager and friend. Blessing to her family, I can only imagine the wonderful times that she spent with her loving children and grands. You were Blessed.

Glenn Parrott

Friend

March 31, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Leigh was always such a dear person with a huge smile and so friendly. Love and prayers to Leigh’s family.
Sincerely, Rosanne Bonno Sicola
Classmate

Rosanne Bonno Sicola

Friend

March 31, 2021

I’m so sorry for your loss. Leigh was always such a dear person with a huge smile and so friendly. Love and prayers to Leigh’s family.
Sincerely, Rosanne Bonno Sicola
Classmate

Rosanne Bonno Sicola

Friend

March 31, 2021

I’m so sorry for your loss. Leigh was always such a dear person with a huge smile and so friendly. Love and prayers to Leigh’s family.
Sincerely, Rosanne Bonno Sicola
Classmate

Rosanne Bonno Sicola

Friend

March 31, 2021

To MaryNell- love and prayers for you family

NANCY Gerner

Acquaintance

March 31, 2021

I was a classmate of Leigh’s.
I am so sorry for you loss. God bless you all.
Ann Peebles Sisemore

Ann Sisemore

Friend

March 31, 2021

Though Leigh was in my class, I was new and there so many of us, I knew John more because of basketball. I never had a bad impression of Leigh, just that she was doing her thing; she was purely motivated. My sincere condolences to the family.

Peggy Gaskamp

March 30, 2021

So sorry to hear this news, Leigh was a wonderful soul that shined for all to see

dan walton

March 30, 2021

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Memorial Events
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Apr

3

Service

11:00 a.m.

River Oaks Baptist Church

TX 77092

Funeral services provided by:

Integrity Funeral Care - Houston

3915 Dacoma Suite E, Houston, TX 77092

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