The family of Leona Sconiers Lampley-Lee of Norfolk, VA announces her passing, and invites all who knew her to remember her here.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew her best.
There are losses that teach us the weight of a life.
Leona "Nell" Sconiers was born on September 22, 1930, in Chancellor, Alabama, to the late Daniel and Mittie Sconiers. As the second oldest of her 11 siblings, her early years were filled with love and joy of a large family, laying the foundation for the strong and loving spirit she carried throughout her life.
She started school at the young age of four, accompanying her oldest sister, the late Iona Phillips, because their mother did not want Iona to go to school by herself. She began cooking at the age of seven. She would cook dinner for the family while they were out working in the fields. She made sure she followed her mother's strict instructions except for the cakes she loved to bake. Those were not always on the menu, but she would bake them anyway. At the age of 16, she married Malvin Lampley, Sr., and began a new life. During their marriage, they moved from Alabama to Norfolk, Virginia, and grew their family. From this union, four children were born.
Leona worked as a housekeeper until the age of 50. After her husband, Malvin, died, she raised her four children alone. She instilled in them at an early age to find something that they love and "be the best you can be at it". Some time after retiring, Leona reconnected with a childhood friend, the late Elder Willie "Bill" Lee. They married and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she became the first lady of the Church of the First Born, Church of God in Christ. She also gained bonus children and helped raise the younger ones. During this seven-year union, Leona became an ordained minister.
After Elder Lee's passing, Leona moved back to Norfolk to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Since her faith was rooted early in life, Leona became an active member of Holy Rock Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Elder Martha Whitehead. Leona served as a Sunday School teacher with distinction. She also spoke as a minister at events upon request.
Leona was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend to many. Beyond her profound love for family, she was also deeply committed to the path she walked with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Over the nine decades of her life, she gathered treasured experiences, created lasting memories, and overcame life's challenges with grace and resilience. Although her physical activities were limited in her later years, she never lost her passion for cooking/baking, working in the yard, reading her Bible, talking on the phone, and sharing stories of her life.
On April 26, 2026, Leona gained her eternal crown for a "job well done" and entered eternal rest.
Leona is preceded in death by parents, Daniel and Mittie Sconiers; husband, Malvin Lampley Sr.; sons, David Lampley Sr. Malvin Lampley Jr.; daughter, Mary Helen Lampley; sisters, Iona Philips, Effie-Mae Owens, Polly Fitzpatrick, and Naomi Shumaker; brothers, Daniel Sconiers, Arthur Sconiers, and Clarence Sconiers.
She leaves to cherish her memories, son, Mozell Lampley; grandchildren, Chenoa W. Perry (Elgin), David Lampley, Jr., Nakia Lampley (Keyisha), and Monesha Battle; great-grandchildren, Symone Ellis, KeJuan Perry, Keone Perry, Kevon Perry (Chelsea) and Monae Battle; great-great-grandchildren, Macari Ellis, Fashion Ellis, Keone Perry, Jr., Keonna Perry, and Kacey Perry; sisters, Annzella Stephens and Millie Ray (Oscar), brother, Luke Sconyers; bonus sons, Dennis Lee, Joshua Lee, and Christopher Lee (Katrina); bonus daughters, Mary Lois Green, Brenda Ann Muhammad, Gloria Barr and Bonny Haslet Lee; special friends, Patricia and Percy Chambers, III ; and a host of nieces and nephews.
