Leona Marie Heaps Kelley Hutchins' Obituary
Leona Marie Heaps Kelley Hutchins went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Sunday, February 12, 2023 after a long illness. Leona had just celebrated her 90th birthday on January 27.
Leona was born in Wilmington, Delaware to the late Clarence Martin Heaps and Sadie Maye Bowers. She joined her older sister Thelma May (Green) to complete the Heaps family. Leona attended local schools and went on to receive an associate’s degree from Wesley College in Dover. In her early 50’s she moved to Newark, DE and attended the University of Delaware, where she was accompanist for many of the vocal students of the University’s different studios while she earned her bachelor’s degree.
Leona began her piano studies at age 6 and embarked on her life-long career as a church organist/pianist/accompanist/choir director at the age of 12. She held one or more of these positions in churches throughout Delaware. She served at First Baptist Church (Dover), Christ Memorial Baptist Church (Dover), WhatCoat Methodist Church (Camden), Christ Episcopal Church (Dover) and St. James Episcopal Church (Millcreek) among others. After her retirement from full-time church ministry, she became a substitute and filled in wherever/whenever she was needed.
In addition to her church responsibilities, she taught organ/piano/voice to private students until her retirement in the mid 1990’s. She began her teaching career at age 12; her first student was a 9-year-old boy. Many of her students became accompanists for their schools’ choral groups, and as they grew older, many have continued in the music field, either as private music teachers, school music teachers, college professors, church organists or accompanists for recitalists and/or community theatre, etc. Numerous students became life-long friends who would frequently write, call or visit to catch up with her.
In her spare time after being a wife, mother, church employee, self-employed music teacher and friend to many, Leona created numerous piano, organ and voice compositions. One of her most treasured accomplishments was the April 2018 recording of her first piano CD, “A Closer Walk” recorded when she was 85 years old.
At the time of her passing, she was a long-time member of First Baptist Church - Dover.
She was predeceased by her parents, sister and her spouses: John T. Kelley, Sr. and Carlton Lee Hutchins; and her granddaughter, Kelley Lyn Campbell.
Survivors include her son, John T. Kelley, Jr. of Dover, De.; and daughters, Darlene Kelley Richardson (Eric) and Carol Kelley Campbell (Jay), both of Harrington, DE, Martha Hutchins Pfeiffer (Paul) of Delmar, DE and Mary Hutchins Herzing (Tim) of Burkesville, KY; grandchildren, DiAnita White (James) of Middletown, DE, Joshua John “JJ” Van Arsdall (Jackie) of Camden, DE, Amber Kelley Farrow (Corbin) of Harrington, DE, Sherrie Muhtaseb (Adam) of Baltimore MD, Rebecca Robertson (Russ) of Asheville, NC and Charlie George (Chloe) of Mechanicsburg, PA.; great-grandchildren Penelope and Gabriel White; Michael, Joshua and Isabelle VanArsdall; Jax and Isabella Farrow; Aidan, Judah and Micah Muhtaseb; and two week old Ezra George, whom Leona had not yet seen. Additionally, Leona had two very special “adopted” daughters: Stephanie Boddie of Waco, TX and Sue Moore (Gene) of Hartly, DE. She also leaves behind a host of personal friends who will miss her immensely.
Leona will be remembered for many things: her enduring faith in the triune God whom she praised and worshipped in every area/every day of her long life; her consummate and professional musicianship; her performance and creative talents on the piano and organ; her incredible strength and perseverance in troubled times; her encompassing and enveloping friendship; her skills as a listener; her deep wisdom and ability to reach the heart of any matter; and her incredible dedication and devotion to those whom she loved. She was unforgettable in every way and always left an indelible impression on those she met!
The family wishes to express their loving gratitude to her caregivers from Kent General Hospital and Milford Memorial Hospital, PAM Rehabilitation Center and particularly Compassionate Care Hospice.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 12 Noon on Monday, February 20, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Dover, 301 Walker Road, Dover. Friends may call at the church between 10:00 am and Noon Monday, February 20. Interment will follow the service at Lakeside Cemetery in Dover.
Letters of condolence may be placed and guestbook signed at www.traderfh.com
Services will be live streamed on the churches YouTube page https://youtube.com/@firstbaptistchurchofdoverd6583
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