Click to view Live Stream: Passcode Cunningham
OBITUARY – GWENDOLYN LEAK
Homegoing Celebration – Saturday, November 6, 2021
Visitation: 9:30 AM – Service: 11:00 AM
Officiant: Pastor Darron Gray,
Pentefest Temple of Deliverance, Greensboro, NC
Gwendolyn Leak – “Gwen” was born on January 5, 1953 in Washington, D.C. After the transition of her mother, Mary Frances Leak, Gwen was raised by her Uncle and Aunt – Allen Leak Valentine and Rosa Graves Valentine. Gwen gained her wings into eternal heaven on October 18, 2021 in Alexandria, VA.
At an early age, Gwen attended Sunday School at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, VA. Later the family moved from the Johnson Hill community to the Green Valley community where she was baptized under the pastorage of the late Reverend Sherman Phillips of Macedonia Baptist Church of which she was a member of Choir Number 2. She was raised in the Green Valley community where she attended Drew & Kemper Elementary schools, Gunston Junior High and then graduated from Wakefield High School in 1971 which she was a member of the Soul Squad.
After high school, Gwen began her career in the federal government. She worked for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon for 20 years until her early retirement from the federal government. Gwen decided to begin a career in the healthcare environment and joined the Washington Hospital Center in the Oncology Department. She always looked forward to meeting and helping people, and she loved her coworkers. In 2016, Gwen retired from the hospital after almost 20+ years of service. She battled and survived breast cancer in 2017 and was able to enjoy her life with her daughters, grandsons, family and friends.
Gwen loved and cherished her two daughters, Tanya and Da’Shawn, as well as her grandsons which she spent the majority of her time. She loved all kinds of animals, especially her cat BowWow. She enjoyed watching animal shows, science fiction and western movies, as well as listening to Oldies but Goodies music, and dancing. Gwen always read the bible and wrote in her journal daily to worship and praise her life journeys. She rededicated her life to God and worshipped with One Nation One Power Church of Christ. Gwen was a fashionista and always dressed for the occasion. She was intelligent, brave, funny, loving and a determined person. Gwen will be remembered as having love and compassion for everyone and had a strong, spiritual relationship with God. We thank God for allowing us to have an amazing angel and leaving behind great memories.
Gwen is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Frances Leak Smith; Uncle and Aunt – Allen Leak Valentine and Rosa Graves Valentine; and Forever Love – Auturo (Teddy) Council, Sr. She is survived by Daughters – Tanya Leak Gray (son in law – Ronnie Gray) and Da’Shawn Leak; Sister – Ida Highsmith; Brother – Duane Smith; Uncle – William (Bill) Leak; Grandsons – Demetrius, Devin, Savon, Jeremiah, Ronnie, Jr., and Damontae; Great-Grandsons – Ziyair, Alijah, Devin, Jr. (DJ) and Jream; Eldest Cousin – Bernell Valentine Hadley and family; Dearest Cousin Patricia Leak Rose and family; Dearest Graves families; Dearest Council/Johnson families; Best Friends Forever – Cassandra Penn Lucas, Doretha Spriggs, Elois (Sister) Jackson, Bessie Hill and Arnetta Key; Special friend – Stephon Gray; and a host of other relatives and friends.
811 CAMERON STREET ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA 22313
11/06/2021
9:30am - 11:00am
Another angel is with the heavenly Father. May God continue to keep His hands on the family.
On behalf of the Sumby family of Oakland Street, our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Gwen Leak. May God give you strength and peace of mind at a time such as this.
My sincere and deepest sympathy for the Family of Gwendolyn Leak. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Tanya my (sister cousin)and Family I’m sending you my deepest condolences at this Time…😇Aunt Gwen was the best she always kept me cracking up laughing she was beautiful inside and out what a smart beautiful person she will truly be missed what a beautiful soul may god bless you all
Dearest DaShawn! My deepest sympathies for your loss. I know how mothers are precious and I can not begin to imagine the void you fill in tour life when not being physically with your mum. However I am sure she continues to watch over you and your sister while resting in the precious arms of our everlasting Father! Be strong and remain prayerful about the good time !
On behalf of The Sumby family of Oakland Street, our sincerest condolences to Gwen’s loved ones. May God bring deep comfort and peace of mind at a time such as this.
Shawn & Tanya. MAY GOD HOLD u both in his arms and Carry u thru this Difficult time. Your mom leaves sweet memories behind for those who. shared a part of her journey. I ask God to strengthen u and be gentle with your heart. Your ANGEL HAS GOT HER WINGS. SHE WILL ALWYS BE WITH U. FOR YOU WILL CARRY HER LOVE FOREVER IN YOUR HEART.
My deepest sympathy to the family! May God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Gwen was our sister in our WHC family a strong and loving mother. I’m sure her Heavenly Father’s first words to her when she entered his house was “well done “. Rest In Peace Gwen-Love and blessings to the family
Da’Shawn and Tanya ,
My deepest condolonces goes out to you both, I know there are no words that will take away this terrible pain but always remember your beautiful Mother will be watching over you both she is forever your angel!
Tanya & Da’Shawn:
May our Lord Bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept my sincere condolences.
My heart is heavy today, and I know yours is too.
Words can’t describe how sorry I am at this loss. You’re in my prayers.
As you go through this difficult time, remember that you are so loved.
Love You both unconditionally!!!
Always,
As there are no words that can make the pain of your loss go away, we pray that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will make the heaviness in your heart get lighter as you lean on the Strength of our Savior now and in the coming days.
We love you!
As there is not any words that can make the pain of your loss go away, we hope that it gives you comfort to know that you have an abundance of prayers going up to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on your behalf.
Our prayer is that as the days go by the heaviness in your heart will get lighter as the Father gives you his strength to lean and depend for the coming days.
We love you!
Words cannot express my heartfelt condolences for all of you.
We share scripture and sympathy over and over again. And yet there is an aching deep inside that nothing reaches.
God offers a peace that surpasses all understanding and experience that is indescribable. And that is my continued prayer for you.
I would like to say I will miss my friend and lover. Gwen was someone I enjoyed talking with and laughing with. The Lord blessed Gwen with strength because she didn’t back down from any challenge that came her way. That was one of the things that I admire about her. Not once did I hear her say, that this is too much to bear. She was a loving and caring person. She was someone you would want to have in your corner because she would fight to the end. Gwen, I love you and will miss you. Thanks for showing that you had that black power by not backing down from your challenges.
The Barnett family would like to express our sincere condolences to Tonya and family. Love Rita, Zita and Jane.
Gwen was a friend and classmate at Drew and Drew Kemper since we were in the same grade. We lived very close to each other in Arlington. We spent much neighborhood time together. Although we drifted apart when our family away from Arlington, we were able to reunite about four years ago.
After reuniting we spent most of our time fellowships about the Lord. She was part of our phone Bible study ministry for two years. She will never be forgotten since she was more like a relative. She will be sorely missed.
Her family has a real gem of a woman. May God’s peace be with each one of them.
Sincere Condolences
Gwen and I go way back (Washington Hospital Center) My Lunch Buddy And Just Talking About Any And Everything 😀🥲
RIP My Dear Friend.🙏🏿🙏🏿For Each And Everyone Of Her Family…She Loved Her Daughters And Grandsons. Rest My Friend 🥲💕
To Shawn and her family , I pray God comforts you and allows your heart to heal in due time…Remember all things work together for the Good. Keep God first and in due time he will see you through! God is with you and so am I.
I wish you and the family peace and strength during this time. God makes no mistakes and always has a plan.
Praying for mighty strength at this time for the both of you, Tanya and Da’Shawn.
Praying for God to give the family strength in their time of need.
🙏🏽My condolences and prayers are with the Leak family. Tanya my memories of us talking about our moms will forever remain in my heart! Your mom was a beautiful woman and may her spirit live on with your family 💕
My sincere and deepest sympathy for the Family of Gwendolyn Leak. My prayers and thoughts are with each of you.
Sending our heartfelt condolences to Tanya, Da’Shawn, Ida & Family. Praying God will give you strength, peace and comfort during this difficult season.
Love You
Robin Ross-Randle
I wish to express my deepest sympathy to every family member for your loss of your beloved angel Gwendolyn. May God bless you and comfort you all as you go through this difficult time.
With love Tonya
“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”-Maya Angelou. May God continue to comfort this beautiful family with loving memories of Ms. Gwendolyn Leak and peace in their hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this painful time. May the peace, love and heart of Jehovah God comfort your family today and always.. Ms.Leak’s beautiful spirit shines brightly in each of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She leaves a legacy strength, courage, tenacity and love.
God Bless
My heart is very very heavy as I extend heartfelt condolences to Gwen’s daughters. Gwen has been a major influence throughout my life. We met when I was stationed at Ft Meyers, VA in my youth. However, our friendship matured into a genuine love over the years. I thank God for the life and memories of Gwen Leake. May she Rest In Peace. I love you Gwen. And, I hope my eternal mansion is next to yours – Forever Together…
“To be absent in the body, is to be present with the Lord”
Gwen will be forever loved and always remembered. I will remember all the fun and laughs we shared. Love you always cousin.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family.
May God comfort you through his word the Bible and the gift of prayer. Thinking of you all.