Barbara Jo Miller Leytham

Barbara Jo Miller Leytham, 82, of Fairhope entered her Father's House on Aug. 26, 2025.

Born March 1, 1943, to Joe and Margaret Miller in Mobile, Ala., she was the oldest of six siblings and remained a caring sister throughout her life.

She married Thomas Harold Leytham Jr. in 1960 at the age of 17, becoming a young preacher's wife with all that entailed - church pianist/organist, choir member, nursery keeper, Sunday school teacher, mentor for GMAs and Sunbeams, and more. The couple served churches in Mississippi, Georgia, Texas and Alabama, sharing the love of Jesus and developing lifelong friendships.

While raising three young children and teaching school, she earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of South Alabama. She loved learning and went on to earn a master's degree as a reading specialist.

For 25 years, she taught everything from kindergarten to adult education in public and private schools, college and community nonprofits.

You could easily pass her off as a mild-mannered senior citizen, small in stature with a sweet spirit. The lady who for 25 years sat on the back pew or the balcony at the First Baptist Church of Fairhope. The sweet grandmother who baked cookies with her grandchildren. The doting great-grandmother who participated in pretend tea parties, and watched "Home Alone" so many times she knew it by heart. A mother who showed her love by hosting family holidays and pouring her heart into each dish she made.

The matriarch who traveled for graduations, weddings and all special occasions.

She was all of those things. But her cover as a grandmotherly-type disguised her true identity. She was a super human with super powers. A rescuer, protector and avid supporter. A woman who courageously forged ahead to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. Who prayed over her family, cared for them, and taught them about the Holy Trinity in the Bible and the holy trinity in the gumbo pot.

She was a fierce warrior who believed prayer was a better weapon than harsh words and that sometimes silence is the best response. She proved that showing kindness could resonate for generations.

She was our hero.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Thomas Harold Leytham Jr.; parents Joe and Margaret Dixon Miller; brothers James Dewayne Miller and Gary Miller; and sisters Velma Patterson and Baby Girl Miller.

She is survived by her three children, Tom Leytham, Tammy Leytham and Tyra (Danny) Cresswell; five grandchildren, Lauren Cresswell, Kirsten (Chris) Purvis, Leytham (Sophia) Cresswell, Thomas Leytham III and Alexandria (Jon) Parker; and 10 grandchildren, Mason Barefoot and Maddox Cresswell; Leyla, Levi and Lexi Cresswell; Koryn Gentry, Tina Purvis and Maggie Purvis; and Evalynn and Mabel Parker; siblings Bruce (Judy) Miller and Wesley (Anita) Miller; beloved aunt, Beverly White and sister-in-law, Ruth Miller, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and other loved ones.

Funeral services will be held from the chapel on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at 10am at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 9am until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chris Miller, Caleb Miller, Kegan Miller and Owen Miller; Vic Gibbon and Gene Gibbon; Paul Matthews and Tim Smith.