Doris Reece Leissing, 77, passed away on July 15, 2020, at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, North Carolina after a brief but intense battle with cancer.
An only child, Doris Ann Reece was born on July 20, 1942, to Pauline Robinson Reece and Mark Twain Reece in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Doris grew up in Mountain City, Tennessee, received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Berea College and her master’s degree from Duke University. She served two years in India as a Peace Corps volunteer along with her first husband, Tom Bates, from whom she was widowed.
She later married Pastor Bob Smith and relocated to Hendersonville in 1980 to start a church together. Doris actively lobbied for the legalization of homeschooling in the state of North Carolina. In 1997, she found herself widowed once more. Nevertheless, she pressed on to build a highly successful career in direct sales, touching thousands of lives as a coach, mentor, and ambassador for Reliv International. In 2002, she married Henry Leissing and they enjoyed 18 beautiful years of adventures together, making memories with their children and grandchildren.
Doris was a dynamic, fully-engaged person with a vibrant love of learning, and her passing is a shock for all who knew her invincible spirit. She possessed a wide range of talents, but her deep faith, her loyalty as a friend and mentor, and her loving heart for her family will be most remembered and missed.
Doris leaves behind a husband, Henry Leissing of Hendersonville, and three children: daughter Heather Bates of Hendersonville, son Christopher Bates of Oregon, and daughter Rebecca Smith of California. Also left to cherish her memory are eight grandchildren, each of whom she loved dearly: Dylan Barton, Gabriel Bishop, Annabelle Bishop, Anneliza Bates, Thomas Bates, Caleb Bates, Andrew Bates, and Katharine Bates.
A visitation will be held at Upward Christian Fellowship on Wednesday, July 22 at 9:00 AM, with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM that morning.
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Time: 11:00 am
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Time: 12:15 pm
Help tell the story of Doris by contributing to the Life Event Timeline. Upload the photo of an event...
Post an Event
Sherri & Roger White posted on 7/22/20
I’m so sorry for your loss. Doris was a wonderful person & will be missed so very much.