Elizabeth Leopard

Elizabeth J. Leopard, of Aiken, SC, beloved wife of Billy E. Leopard, daughter of the late Eva Heneritta Davis-Stephens and the late Leonard Alvin Presson, departed this life to be with her Lord and Savior on December 29, 2009, after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her husband, Bill, a brother Verlin E. Presson and his wife, Judy, of Bourbonais, IL, her daughter, Lori Romein and her husband, David, of Goose Creek, SC, her son Alexander R. Sanderson and his wife, Patricia, of San Diego CA, step-sons Billy A. Leopard and his wife, Barbara, and Mark W. Leopard and his wife, Cindy, all of Summerville, SC, grand-daughters Angela Sanderson of Los Angeles, CA and Kathleen Sanderson of England, step-grandson Christopher M. Leopard and his wife, Jenn, of Summerville, SC, and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren in the Summerville, SC area. She was born in Sterling, CO, on December 4, 1929, and was predeceased by her brothers Ned Presson, of Normal, IL and Rex Presson, of Marion, IL, her sister Elzetta Broyles, of Loudon, TN, and a step-daughter Jean Marie Leopard, of Charleston, SC. Liz was very proud of her writing talent as a poet and short story writer, having written a number of poems and short stories for publication, one of which was published in “Chicken Soup For The Golden Soul”. She started her television career in Puerto Rico, bringing topics of interest about the local Navy to the Armed Forces Radio and Television audience. After moving to Charleston, SC, she initiated the program “Shades of Blue”, an interview program with military emphasis on the Charleston area. She soon progressed to field news reporting and anchoring in addition to her interview shows, and took part in several telethons. After leaving television, she continued her broadcasting career at National Public Radio. Liz had retired as a public relations specialist. She was with the American Red Cross during Hurricane Hugo. After years of service to the Red Cross, she took on a job with The Salvation Army replacing homes ravaged by Hurricane Hugo in the Berkley County area, which she said was the most rewarding job she had ever had. Liz was greatly responsible for the location of the East Cooper Community Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, SC. She worked with AMI, the company that built the hospital, and laid the groundwork for the company to be granted a Certificate of Need necessary for the location and construction of the hospital, which was badly needed in the area. Upon relocating to Aiken, Liz volunteered with a number of organizations, including the Aiken Regional Medical Center as a “Pink Lady”, another rewarding job. Her illnesses eventually made it necessary to give up her volunteer work. Liz was a member of the Saint James Lutheran Church in Graniteville, SC and the Archie Dodgen Sunday Church School class there and was very active until her illnesses took her away. In lieu of flowers, Liz asked that contributions be made to the general operating fund at St. James Lutheran Church, 200 Laurel Street, Graniteville, SC, 29829. A memorial service honoring her life will be held at St. James Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Barry Antley presiding. Liz has requested that her remains be cremated and the ashes scattered in the mountains in a place she and Bill had visited several times with only immediate family present. Her wish will be granted. Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Road, Aiken, SC, officiating. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth Leopard, please visit our flower store.