Obituary of Kay Sharleen Leppell

Reverend Kay Sharleen (DeBock) Leppell

born February 25th, 1940 in Tacoma, Washington
Passed away September 5th, 2023, in Lakewood, Washington.

Preceded in death by father Gustav Cornelius DeBock, mother Charlotte Maxine (Johnston) Keeler, brother Gustav Cornelius DeBock II, husband Reverend Kenneth John Leppell, daughter Vicki Annice (Lanksbury) Kauth, son Bradley Paul Lanksbury, son Shawn R Lanksbury, and stepson Mark J. Leppell.

Survived by stepson Lloyd J. Leppell, daughter Allison Lee (Lanksbury) Hooser (Jerry), daughter Leslie Kay Lanksbury, daughter Lorna Rachel (Pendergrast) Denney, nephew Duane DeBock (Brenda), niece Dawn DeBock Jury (Brad), niece Cora DeBock Deputy(Brad), 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, sponsors, and many, many, sponsees and friends.

Kay was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She lived with her mother, father, younger brother, and great grandmother, with whom she shared a very special bond. She attended Lincoln High School.

Her great grandmother taught her to crochet and knit, which she enjoyed for her entire life. She loved working with yarn, even learning how to spin her own yarn. She was an all-around artist. She could paint, draw, write, play piano, sing, sew, and bead. She was just so good and amazing at everything. Kay enjoyed gold panning, rock collecting, and antiques. She loved to go to yard and garage sales, her Mama's roses, and the Puyallup river.

Her backyard was her sanctuary, thanks to Rachel and Bradley. One of her favorite things to do was to sit by a lake or by the river, with a pole in her hand and bait on her hook, surrounded by loved ones or completely alone, she was at home.

Kay loved God and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit filled her heart. She became an ordained minister and with her husband, Reverend Kenneth John Leppell, they founded their welC.O.M.E./Shepherd of Love Christian Church in Puyallup. After the church closed, Kay still performed weddings until she was in her 80's, and the last was her Granddaughter's.

Mom was so grateful to have 15,294 days - (41 years, 10 months and 15 days) sober. Her home group was Meeker Fellowship in Puyallup. She loved AA, and all of her sponsees and the rest of Meekers members.

She was 41 when she found God, AA, and sobriety. Kay dedicated the rest of her sober life to God and to AA and fulfilling her 12th step, carrying her story of hope, love and sobriety to all the still suffering alcoholics.

God, grant me the SERENITY,
to accept the things that I cannot change
the COURAGE, to change the things I can,
and the WISDOM, to know the difference.