Menella Leath

Menella Louise Leath of Niles, Michigan, aunt, faithful churchlady, and music collector died peacefully at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2023 with her family gathered around at Brentwood of Niles, having attained the remarkable age of 100 years.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Brentwood and Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

She was born on February 24, 1922 in Niles to Robert and Melba (Poston) Dixon, and was graduated from Niles High School.  As a young lady, she was employed by the former Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, but her life’s vocation was caring for her husband and adopted nephews.  She has lived in Niles all of her life.

Menella was an active member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles.  She enjoyed movies and music, and had a collection of her favorite music recorded on vinyl records and cassette tapes.  She also enjoyed watching the daily schedule of afternoon television programs, and was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs major league baseball team.

On February 6, 1943 in Junction City, Kansas she married Rufus Leath with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-second anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on June 14, 2005.  She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Betty Marsh, Robert Dixon, Lois Jean Jones, Marianne Hollis, and Carolyn Mason.

Surviving family includes her adopted nephews, Robert (& Lynne) Dixon of Seaside California and Derrick Battle of Detroit, Michigan; grandnephews John Dixon and Robert Dixon; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins of several generations including Sareena Williams, Tina Anderson, Rochelle Marsh, Esther Finley, Marva Marsh, Mary Ann Marsh, and Debbie Spates, and a host of great-nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Menella Leath will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. of Mount Calvary Baptist Church officiating.  Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  Those wishing to participate online may do so via the livestream on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices/ .

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Contributions in memory of Menella may be made to the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street, Niles, Michigan 49120, http://mtcbcministries.net/give .   Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

One century is a long time to live, and Menella used those 100 years well, caring for her family, relatives, and friends; enjoying music and entertainment; and being faithful to both the Cubs and the Church; fulfilling the command to Love God and Love people.