Leasa Gaye (Patton) Howard

   Leasa Gaye Patton Howard, 67, of Portsmouth, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Concord Health & Rehabilitation Center in Wheelersburg. Leasa was born on May 28, 1956, in Portsmouth to Leota Inez Sell Patton, who survives, and the late Woodford Patton.

    On August 10, 1974, Leasa married Ricky Howard, and they had been married for 44 years at the time of his death on August 23, 2018.

   Leasa worked several local jobs, such as candy striper at the hospital, and she and her late husband served as Foster Parents to many small children over the years. She was a 1975 graduate of Portsmouth High School, and she had a great love for reading as well as for animals. She was also a talented writer and poet, having poetry featured in the book, Break in the Clouds. Leasa also enjoyed karaoke, country music and the county fair. As the first Mrs. Portsmouth in 1995, she competed in the Mrs. Ohio pageant.

   Surviving is her mother, Leota Patton of Portsmouth; her sister, Sarah Ann (Patton) Veazey of Portsmouth; nephew, Michael (Keri) Veazey; two great-nieces, Abigail and Sophia; and a great-nephew, Bentlee.

   In addition to her father, Woodford Patton, Leasa was also preceded in death by a baby brother, Timothy Woodford Patton.

   Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Pastor Tom Rayburn officiating and interment in Memorial Burial Park.

   The family will receive friends from 11 A.M. until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

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