Mary Lou Soals

Mary Lou Soals died Wednesday September 28, 2022 at the age of 91. She passed peacefully with family by her side.

Mary was a strong woman, living her life with tenacity and determination. She was the youngest daughter; born on July 27, 1931 to Mr. and Mrs. Leland and Rosa Yaney at home in Continental, Ohio.

She married Ralph Emerson Leatherman in September of 1946. They raised their eight children in Putnam County, Ohio. She worked briefly as a telephone switchboard operator.

She later remarried in 1981 to Joseph Soals of Tifton, Ohio.

After Joe’s death in 1988, she relocated to Dry Branch, Georgia. She found great joy and purpose in life in central Georgia. She quickly became active with the Bloomfield Senior Center, where she developed many close friendships. She rediscovered her love for bowling and was an avid member of a local bowling league for many years.

Though the Bloomfield Senior Center, Mary was involved in several community programs in Macon. Her most beloved activity was participating in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. She helped decorate the city with beautiful ribbons to turn the city Pink. She also contributed to the BSC booth, where she sold her handcrafted Cherry Blossom designs…from earrings, to buttons, to shirts and sweaters, and more.

Some of Mary’s favorite hobbies included a variety of arts and crafts. She loved crafting plastic canvas pieces, creating ceramic art as well as beautifully painting them, crocheting, fabric painting and jigsaw puzzles. She was also very enthusiastic supporter of her beloved Braves during the baseball season.

Later in life, Mary briefly relocated to Lakeland, Florida while enjoying her Golden Years.

Mary is survived by her children, Sharon (Danny) Hughes of Lakeland, FL, Rosemary O’Rock of Columbus, OH, Cindy Siebeneck of Dry Branch, GA; Jeff (Wanda) Leatherman of Cairo, GA; Grandchildren Tracy Lane, Jennifer Leatherman, Angela Parker, Katie Siebeneck; numerous great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  Mary was preceded in death by her sister Margie, as well as her sons, Arnold, Ralph Jr., Kenny and daughter Becky.

Graveside services will be held in Continental, Ohio at a later date.

Low Country Cremation and Burial is serving the Souls Family.