Esther Leatherman Cosby

Esther Leatherman Cosby died peacefully on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Westminster Canterbury retirement community. She was two weeks\Ӫ short of her 97th birthday.

Esther was born to the late Edgar Aldine Leatherman and Ella Wright Leatherman on June 14, 1916 in Rada, West Virginia. She and her siblings grew up on the Chert Mountain apple orchard founded by their father. She attended Bridgewater College and James Madison University, graduating in 1939 with a Bachelor Degree of Science in Home Economics. Over her adult years, Esther served as minister\Ӫs wife, loving mother, elementary school librarian and kindergarten teacher. In 1970, in addition to supervising and teaching in a special graduate program to fast-track training of new kindergarten teachers, she was initiated into Delta Kappa Gamma, International Honor Society for Women Educators. Eventually, she returned to school and received her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lynchburg College in 1972. She received an Outstanding Service Award from the Virginia Education Association in 1982. Upon retirement, Esther was an active volunteer at Virginia Baptist and Lynchburg General Hospitals.

With her deep faith in the human spirit and dedication to her work, Esther has had a profound, positive impact on many young children in Lynchburg. More recently, her caring attention and special greeting cards brought joy to fellow residents of Westminster Canterbury and patients at the hospitals where she volunteered. Throughout her life, Esther\Ӫs bravery in confronting difficulties and ̩lan have bolstered us. We are inspired to be active by her own passion for swimming, ballroom dancing, and tennis, and we are guided by her faith in God.

Survived by her loving children: Esther and Samir Khoury of Greensboro, NC, Emily Cosby-Dunlap and Dave Dunlap of Napa, CA; and Ellen Cosby of Baltimore, MD. Former wife and valued friend of Rev. Peter G. Cosby III. Cherished by her grandsons: Peter G. Khoury and Eli C. Dunlap, and granddaughter, Myriam R. Khoury. Further survived by her great grandchildren, Aziza, Loula, Isaac and Aaron.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters: Jane Cosby and Ann Cosby; her brother, Edgar A. Leatherman, Jr. and her sister, Jean L. Machemer.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the kind and caring service provided to Esther by the staff of Westminster Canterbury and Centra Hospice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, (434-237-9424) is assisting the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Miriam\Ӫs House, at 409 Magnolia St, Lynchburg, VA 24503, The Church of the Covenant, 4405 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 34503, or to any other organization meaningful to the donor.

The family will welcome guests for a Memorial Service in honor of Esther at the Weissert Chapel at Westminster Canterbury the afternoon of June 29, 2013 at 2 p.m.

In Esther\Ӫs memory, we wish you a Star Spangled Day!