Published Monday, September 29, 2008

Dr. Landrum P. Leavell II

Dr. Landrum P. Leavell II, President Emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, age 81, died Sept. 26, 2008 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Born in Ripley, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1926, Leavell was raised in Newnan, Ga., where his father, Dr. Leonard O. Leavell, served as pastor of the First Baptist Church. On July 28, 1953 he married Jo Ann Paris of New Orleans. He went on to become the President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the most influential Southern Baptist leaders of his generation.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Paris Leavell; children: Dr. Landrum P. Leavell III and Susanne of Denton, Texas, Ann Leavell Beauchamp of Greensboro, GA, Roland Q. Leavell II and Lisa of Jackson, Miss., and Dr. David E. Leavell and Vicki of Springfield, Tenn., and sister Margaret Leavell Mann of Newnan, Ga.; grandchildren: Gentry and Paris Leavell, Beau, Andrew, JoAnn, and David Beauchamp, Lucy and Ro Leavell, and J.D., Laura Leigh, and Walker Leavell.

Leavell was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Leonard O. Leavell and a sister, Anne Leavell Murphey of Newnan, GA.

The funeral will be at First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, Texas at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30 under direction of Lunns Colonial Funeral Home, with visitation to follow in the church's parlor. Interment will be at 10 am Friday, Oct. 3 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan, Georgia under the direction of Higgins-Hillcrest Chapel Funeral Home. A memorial chapel service will be held in New Orleans, La. on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 11 am in Leavell Chapel, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Memorials gifts are requested to be given to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, Texas.