Leach, Ella Josephine Roark

Ella Josephine (Jo) Roark Leach, of Blacksburg, died Saturday, March 25, 2006, at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

She was born in Gullett, Kentucky on October 6, 1928, to the late Eva Arnett Roark and Sterling Roark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Leach.

She is survived by her two daughters and son-in-law, Bena H. Vitale and Lisa L. and Harry W. Baldwin; and granddaughter, Lauren Paige Baldwin, all of Blacksburg; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William (Jim) and Margaret Roark of Blacksburg, Jene P. and Gloria Roark of Christiansburg; two sisters and brother-in-law, Judy R. and Clarence (Duke) Dowdy of Blacksburg and Janet R. Hatfield of Radford; sisters-in-law, Myrtle Leach of Critz, Phoebe Leach of Martinsville; and special niece, Kimberly L. Roark and long time and loyal friend, Susie Cranwell; and nieces and nephews, Kenny Wrenn, Chris Roark, Sabrina Roark, Lance Dowdy, Lane Hatfield, Sara Hatfield, Clayton Leach, Teresa Jackson and Martha Leach.

Mrs. Leach attended Marietta College in Ohio and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi chapter in Blacksburg. She was awarded the tile of Kentucky Colonial by the Governor of Kentucky. She was a loyal VA Tech fan. She was active in various Blacksburg businesses including Blacksburg Interiors, real estate management and Sterling, a women’s boutique before she retired. She was a partner in Wheatland Hills Retirement Centers and Scottish Hills Apartments.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 2 p.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tommy McDearis officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. Flowers may be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Christian Appalachian Project, Attn.: Development Office, P.O. Box 511, Lancaster, Ky. 40446-0511. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr, Blacksburg.