Jean Wheeler Leech

1934 - 2025

A Godly woman, Nettie Jean Wheeler Leech left this earth to enter the portals of Heaven on March 19, 2025 from Magnolia Assisted Living in New Albany. She was 90 years old. Born in Tupelo on Nov. 24, 1934 to the late Benjamin Farrel Wheeler and Sue Griggs Wheeler, she grew up in Mooreville on a farm working hard and consistently. She graduated Mooreville High School in 1953 where she was a beauty queen winning Miss Lee County and starring as a basketball player. Jean met the love of her life, William Leech, and they were married in 1955, a marriage of 66 years until his death on Sept. 29, 2021. William, an Army Veteran, was stationed for two years in Germany where Jean joined him and enjoyed touring the European countries and living the European life. After returning from Germany, they lived in Fulton until settling in Lee County for the rest of their days. Jean, a born saleslady, began working at JC Penny where she won many honors for her sales abilities. She transferred her sales skills to McRae's. It was there she earned a coveted award from Tommy Hilfiger winning a trip to New York to receive her exceptional sales honor. Always trying to better herself, she enrolled in her 60s at Itawamba Community College and achieved an Associate's Degree in Business Management at age 64. Jean spent her last 10 years of her working life with Crye-Leike Realty where her positive attitude, vivacious spirit, solid work ethic and love of people made her a top sales agent. Jean loved the Lord and was a committed Christian whose faith sustained her throughout her life. She taught Sunday school at Thomas Street Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoyed planting flowers and gardening, cooking and singing and playing the piano. A beautiful loving sister, daughter, mother, and grandmother, her family was an extension of her Christian faith and she loved them with all her heart.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Allen's Chapel United Methodist Church in the Skyline Community with Chaplain John Cagle of Enhabit Hospice officiating. Burial will follow in Gilvo Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3PM-5PM Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo and from 1 PM-service time on Sunday at the Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosanne Hays (Norman); four grandchildren, Benjamin Hays, Nathan Hays (Nikki), Ashley Hays, and Courtney Capps (Andrew); six great-grandchildren; her sister Sarah Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Farrel and Sue Wheeler; her husband, Wiilliam; her brothers, Billy Wheeler and David Wheeler, and her sisters, Betty Sue Guess and Barbara Wheeler.

Pallbearers will be Jon Little, Max Little, Christopher Little, Blake Carr, John Edwards, and Terry Wheeler.

Due to her struggles with dementia, the family requests that donations be made to The Mind Center c/o University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve their friends.