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Leah Enloe was born September 5, 1939 to Walter and Nan Cheatham in a blended family of 7 children. She was the first of 4 children to her father's second marriage to her mother. Being the first girl born to her father, she was a treasured daughter. Little is known about her father's ancestry, but her mother brought in a wealth of family history in Cherokee Indian and Scottish descent.
She grew up in a large family of brothers that adored her in their quaint Oklahoma City home as her fathered ministered a small Methodist church and worked as an electrician. Leah spent part of her memorable childhood with her resolute grandmother in the Killeen, Texas area. The bond with her grandmother left an indelible impression on her.
Leah graduated from Capitol Hill High School and later married James Enloe, an air traffic controller. Three children came to them from their union as each child was born in a different state: Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Leah celebrated life as a mother with frequent visits from her brothers which brought many cousins for the girls to acquaint themselves with. Connections between the cousins brought many years of friendship as they matured into adulthood.
After settling in the bustling neighborhood within Warr Acres, Leah worked as a pathologist secretary at Deaconess Hospital. She became fond of the medical field and the doctors that worked alongside her.
After some turbulent events in the 1980s, Leah went through many transitions after her divorce of 19 years of marriage. Space does not allow for the many adjustments she made to face her remaining adulthood as a single parent and mother, but she resolved to finish her education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah with a degree in Native American Studies at the age of 67.
Children grew up, moved and got married. Becoming a grandmother was beyond bliss as grandchildren appeared on the scene beginning in 1983. She spent time with her five grandchildren creating crafts, attending summer camps, and babysitting along the way. She was elated to be a part of each one as they entered the world.
Leah's final years settled in the quiet community of Bethany where neighbors and fellow church members have grown to love and treasure many days of friendship and volunteer work. Many have enjoyed spending time with her in weekly bible studies.
She later acquired challenging health conditions that would limit some of the activities she enjoyed. This did not limit her to the crafts she enjoyed in painting and pottery as well as cooking for family and her best friend, Travis Johnson. A glass of tea was always waiting for anyone who came by.
Leah leaves behind her children and the friends her children brought into their home throughout the adolescent years. Many teenage friends considered her as a second mother to them. She also leaves behind grandchildren who fondly gave her a nickname they chose for her. Her dry wit, humor and affection will be missed by many who knew her.
Memorial services will be Friday, March 13, 11:00am at Chisholm Trail Presbyterian Church, 801 W. Vandament, Yukon, OK.
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