Lela Lillian Harrell Leissner died on October 5, 2011, at St. Andrews Bay Skilled Nursing Facility in the presence of her three "Angels in Disguise" India Belisle, Paula Pettit and Bernidene DeWitt. Lela was born 25 January 1908 in Mitchell County, Georgia to John Bassett Harrell and Mary Anna Stephens. She had eleven siblings, all of which preceded her in death except one sister, Elizabeth Harrell Carrigan, who passed away on October 8, 2011 in Montgomery, Alabama at the age of 105.

Lela was a retired Civil Service switchboard operator. She was transferred from Maxwell AFB, Alabama to Goodfellow AFB, Texas where she met the "love of her life", F.F. (Rube) Leissner, a teacher and football coach. They had 10 years together. When he died, she moved back to Montgomery, but soon moved to Panama City to be near family. .She joined Northside Baptist Church and Homemakers Sunday School Class. She loved people... her prayer each day was to help someone else. She loved Wal-Mart on 23rd Street so much that she went everyday. She was made honorary Wal-Mart Associate. She loved her birthdays. After making a comment to friend, India Belisle that she had never had a birthday party, India made sure that Miss Lela had a birthday party from her 90th to her 103rd. Lela loved the Lord and she loved life and lived it to the fullest, still driving at the age of 101.

Lela was a TRUE Daughter of the Confederacy. Survivors include a niece, Allison (Orin) Goocher, Montgomery, Alabama, great nephew Mark (Sally) Rosser and great niece Paula Rosser Fryou.
Many thanks to the 3rd wing Nursing Staff at St Andrews Bay Skilled Nursing Facility and to Emerald Coast Hospice.

A memorial service to celebrate Lela's life will be held at the Young at Heart Meeting at Northside Baptist Church on October 20, 2011 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, Lela would appreciate any memorials be made to Northside Baptist Church Stained Glass Windows Fund or Emerald Coast Hospice.