Minister Leowan Stanley

Minister Leowan Stanley went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 19, 2021.  She was a woman of faith, conviction and wisdom and was a true gift to all who knew and loved her.  Leowan was one of four children born to the union of Nolan Alonzie Stanley and Florence Stanley and she was a life-long resident of Akron, Ohio where she graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in Business Education.  She retired from Ford Motor Company as a Safety Trainer with 33 1/3 years of service.

It was clear to those who knew Leowan that she had a deep love and commitment to her family, a heart for people, and she was generous with her love, advice, and prayers. There were other significant interests in her life such as traveling, especially shopping in Las Vegas with her daughter Angela, and making her “famous” sour cream pound cakes. She only shared that recipe with a very select group of friends. So, if you received it – you were most likely in her inner circle.  She also enjoyed playing cards with her family and best friends and at the neighborhood community center.

After retirement, it was a seamless transition to follow in the footsteps of her foster mom by mentoring young girls and boys as a foster parent herself.  It was her mission to express the sincere love of Christ to them, and teach them that love makes you a family.   And let us not forget that she gave new meaning to the phrase, “Shop Till You Drop.” To say she was a power-shopper is an understatement! Leowan was known as a Black Belt Shopper.  She shopped to the fifth degree, and it gave her great joy to bless people with the treasures she’d find.

Minister Leowan was a dedicated member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio.  She loved going to bible study and she would take you too if you happened to be around on bible study night.  She was ordained as a minister by Bishop David Drone (Pastor Emeritus, Faith Temple Church of the Living God in Akron, Ohio).  Leowan was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and in November 2021 she would have celebrated her silver (50th) anniversary with the sorority.

Leowan was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister Edith Ridgill, as well as her foster mother Naomi Berry Pate. She leaves to carry on her legacy, her daughter Angela (Tommy) Brown Jr.; Granddaughters Tylar (Timothy) Portis II, and LaShay Neloms; Great grandchildren Christopher Mayle Jr., Angelo Mayle and TayLynn Portis; Siblings, Deborah E. Chambers, Fronzetta Stanley (Ronald) Peake; Nephews Gregory M. Chambers and Jimmy Ridgill; her beloved aunt Mary L. Stanley; and a host of God-children, God-grandchildren, cousins, and very special long-time friends. Leowan will be dearly missed by the wide circle of family and friends who loved her and she will forever remain in our hearts.