Obituary of Kathleen Judah Leatherwood

Kathleen (Kat) Leatherwood joined her beloved Jesus on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, one month shy of her 94^th birthday.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P. M. Thursday, May 23, 2019 from Asbury United Methodist Church with Reverend Tara Chamblee and Reverend Dr. Rick Patterson officiating, Internment will follow in the church cemetery, Holman Funeral Home and Cremations of Ozark will be in charge of arrangements.  The family will receive friends in the church from 12:30 P. M. Thursday until service time.

She was born in Mabson Community on June 21, 1925 to James Oscar Judah and Willie Belle Snell Judah.  She is preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 70 years, Aubrey Leon Leatherwood and her son, Dr. James Stephen Leatherwood; her brother, Herman Oscar Judah; and her beloved sister-in-law, Fannie Rae Judah.  She is survived by her eldest son, Thomas Oscar Leatherwood (Julia Berman) and her daughter, Cheryl Lynne Leatherwood, as well as Larry Finley and Galeyn Williams.  Eight grandchildren: Kimberly Ledford-Burley (Bruce), Todd Ledford (Faith), Keith Leatherwood (Chantele), Shannon LaSpada (John), Evan Williams Leatherwood, and Corrina Leatherwood, Kyra Woodman, and Cherisse Finley. 10 Great-Grand Children: Bruce Connor, Walker, and Aubree Burley; Mason and Macray Ledford; Havana, Laird, Zaca, and Tacia Leatherwood; and Gianna LaSpada; her sister Angela Wynn (Max) Leatherwood, and her baby brother, Samuel Durwood (JoAnn) Judah.

     Kathleen was not an adventurer by nature, but she followed Aubrey on many. When he announced the family was moving to California she packed and went with much resolve.  Many moves followed before they settled at the Leatherwood Place on Judah Creek near Asbury.  Kat loved to entertain and the home and life they built there was a family and community gathering place for many over the decades.  She loved spoiling her grandchildren and her greatgrandchildren and they always knew that they could count on her to be in their corner.

     Kat was generous and unselfish and always placed everyone above herself.  She was a dedicated servant of Christ and truly lived her faith.  She loved the beach, the mountains, the snow, and the piney woods of Alabama.  Kat often showed her love through cooking and was famous for her original Peanut Cake.

     Kat was a longtime member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and served in a multitude of ways, including teaching Sunday School for many years.

     She was a buyer for J.C. Penny while living in California, and upon her return to Alabama, she attended Auburn University where she obtained her Real Estate Broker’s license and was the founding broker for First Ozark Realty which she later franchised with Coldwell Banker First Ozark Realty. She was a member of the local Board of Realtors where she served as president and was a member of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce where she also served as president. 

     Flowers will be accepted, or memorial may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund. 2536 Country Road 33, Ozark, Alabama 36360.