Essie Mae Leake

Ms. Essie Mae McGowan Leake was born September 2, 1950 to Johnnie C. McGowan Sr. and Arcelia Pyles McGowan in Laurens County, South Carolina. 

At an early age, Essie joined New Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mountville, South Carolina. 

She was employed for twenty-five years in Laurens County, South Carolina with Laurens County School District 56.

In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed cooking and childcare.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Margaret McGowan; one brother, Curtis McGowan; and one sister, Shirley McGowan Davis.

On Thursday, February6, 2005, Essie entered into eternal rest at Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital in Clinton, South Carolina at the age of seventy-four.

She leaves her cherished memories to her daughter, Dianne Byrd; her son, Bryan Leake; six grandchildren: Enicholas Leake, Kenyatta Powers, Jamya Simpson, Brymore Onajah Leake, Amoni O'Niya Leake, and Essie Taylor ; four great grandchildren: Kahlani Leake, Nyomi Leake, Paris Hunt, and London Hunt; two great nieces reared in the home: Maddison Davis and Braelyn Davis; her three brothers, Johnnie C. McGowan Jr., Otis McGowan, Charles McGowan; her two sisters, Pearl Gailliard, Brenda Gary; six aunts: Thelma Young, Betty (Bobby) Tribble, Olivia (Wes) Williams, Dorothy Ann (Scottie) Davis, Lessie Mae Speaks, and Juanita (Lloyd) Johnson; four uncles: Hilery Pyles, Walter Glen Pyles, Calvin Pyles, and JC (Anna) Pyles; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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