Mrs. Earlene James Leach formerly of Healy Towers and Somerset Court departed this life on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 after an extended illness. She was the daughter of Margaret James Evans and Cort Campbell who preceded her in death. She was born in Iredell County and attended Iredell County Schools. She was a chef by trade and before moving to Winston-Salem in 1970 she owned her own restaurant business in Harmony, NC.

Earlene joined Rock Creek AME Zion Church in Turnersburg , NC . After moving to Winston-Salem she joined New Bethel Baptist Church where she served as a Missionary and was a member of the Sunday School Department.

Mrs. Leach was married to Albert Leach who preceded her in death. She was the proud mother of nine children, of which four children preceded her in death, Walter, Bobby, George, and Perry.

She is survived by three sons, Charles (Dolores) Leach of New Jersey, Leonard Leach of Statesville and Collie Leach of Winston-Salem, NC; two daughters, Shirley (Howard) Femister of Statesville and Eva Leach McWillis of Winston-Salem, NC; two step-children, Edward (Debra) Nichols of Virginia and Bonnie Muse of Baltimore, MD; devoted grandson, Jerry (Sue) of Clemmons, NC; two granddaughters, that she helped raise, Tina Stevenson of Greensboro, NC and Cynthia Leach of High Point, NC; Mrs. Leach is survived by thirty-five grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, five great, great-grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday, September 22, 2007 at New Bethel Baptist Church , 1016 North Trade St. , Winston-Salem , NC . Family visitation will be held from 11:00 am until 12:00 Noon Saturday at the church.

The family will leave from the home of her daughter, Eva McWillis, 4107 Sunflower Circle , Winston-Salem , NC .