Sally Ann Leigh, wife of retired Covenant pastor Merton Leigh,
passed away on September 2, 2016, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was 76.
Sally was born to parents Al and Harriet (Salverda) Jwanouskos on July 23, 1940, in Aitkin, Minnesota. She spent her early years in the youth group at Minneapolis Calvary Temple / Souls Harbor. That’s where she met Dee Sams, who became a lifelong friend and missionary. They sang in the T.V. choir and Sally the artist painted the backdrop for the production. At age 14, Sally came forward to receive Christ as savior along with the rest of her family during a Palm Sunday service. From that point forward she shared her faith at every opportunity.
Sally eventually traveled to Los Angeles with Dee and Dee’s parents to attend the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, where she met the man who would become her husband, Merton Leigh. When he proposed marriage, she said, “Yes, on two conditions: one, that I finish college, and two, that you would iron your own shirts.” Graduate, she did—and perma-press came to his rescue.
After graduating in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education, Sally taught in the Whittier School District while helping to pay Merton’s seminary expenses. Eventually Sally and Merton served together in pastoral ministry at First Baptist in Buena Park, during which they added two more to the family—son, Steven, in 1964, and daughter, Lynnet, in 1966.
After their family moved to San Francisco to serve First Covenant Church, Sally taught in a Christian school, finding great fellowship at church. Sally’s involvement included singing in the choir, street witnessing, prayer and Bible study, and participating in the young mother’s club—especially after their third child, Angela, was born in 1975.
Continuing on in ministry, Sally, Merton and family moved to Everett, Washington, to serve First Covenant Church there. Sally picked up her artist brushes again, only for the family up and move again to Tulsa. Sally preached in place of Merton when needed and took occasional trips to the west coast or the Caribbean, always on the lookout for art ideas.
Sally is survived by her husband, Merton; children, Steven P. Leigh (Rebeca), Lynnet M. Pals (Todd), and Angela J. Chesnut (Bryan); granddaughters, Grace Marie Leigh, Audrey Chesnut, and Sophie Chesnut; sisters Anita Defries (David), Irene Marlow (Pat), Joanne Jwanouskos, Suzy Prikryl (Rudy); and her brother, Tony Jwanouskos.
A graveside service was held on September 9, 2016, at Floral Havens Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Memorial contributions can be made to the International Ministerial Association in Evansville, Indiana.
Peace be to her memory.
