Leva Inez Lee

Leva Inez Lee, born December 13, 1947 in Dallas, Texas to W.J. Melton and Aline Davison Melton and
later adopted by T.B. Sullivan upon the death of her father, left this world on October 5, 2022 to enter
her eternal life with our Savior.
Leva was preceded in death by her father, W.J. Melton, her adopted father, T.B. Sullivan and her
mother, Mary Aline Donnell.
An amazing wife, mother, Grammy, LeLe and LaLa and friend to too many to begin to count.
Leva was born in Dallas, Texas but over the course of her childhood years lived in various places
including Littleton, Colorado, Glen Rose and Rendon, Texas before finally settling in East Fort Worth.
Her life long dream of being a mom came to fruition in May of 1966 with the birth of her daughter,
Angie and followed along with Tammy in November 1968. We all enjoyed many years of great
memories in that little neighborhood on Shipp Dr in Watauga, TX until moving to Alvarado in 1980 to
begin a new season of life. It was then she became LeLe to Shea and Tana and later Brandon, taking
each of them into her heart as newborns and leaving her mark on them for life. As they started school
years, so did she. Leva took on cosmetology school like a champ and immediately started her new
career at Gina’s Salon in Burleson, Texas. Through the course of 32 years the friendships and
relationships formed across that nail table are the ones that would carry her through to even her final
days.
In 1987 she was there in the delivery room to welcome her first and to be only grandson, Trey. She took
to her new role as Grammy like a duck to water, her heart was full!
In February 1991 she met the absolute love of her life, Dave. As they had no doubt that they were
meant to be, they married just 4 weeks later in March. Over the span of 31 years Dave has poured into
her the love that she had longed for and deserved all those years.
In 2009 she gained another treasure, her grand daughter in law, Ashley. They adored each other and
again, her heart was full. Until…..December 2010 when she welcomed her first great grandchild, Hunter
and then in June 2012 came Haisley, her heart had never been so full. She took full advantage and every
opportunity to spend with those babies, which included trips to Maryland and Hawaii until they finally
landed back in Texas. Here they have clocked many hours in the kitchen and at the easel with her
aspiring artist, Haisley. Two peas in a pod! And then, as if her heart was not already full enough, in June
2021 came the special gift of Harper Grace.
Leva’s paintings will forever be treasured by so many. She loved her friends at art class at Lynn’s and
loved sharing her gift with so many.
The cancer diagnosis in October 2019 never stopped her or kept her from living life, whether it was a
family vacation, a simple trip to the zoo or a dog show, she was going to keep making memories with all
of us. She took on cancer with more grace than it ever deserved and never once complained, forever
content in all circumstances, she always saw the silver lining. She continued to be encouraging to
everyone around her, whether it was nurses or doctors or just anyone needing encouragement to her
very last day. She will be forever missed and will live on in each of us.

Leva is survived by her husband, Dave, her daughter Angie Hathcock (Marty), her daughter Tammy
Wade (Kendell), her grandson, Trey McNiel (Ashley), her beloved great grandchildren, Hunter, Haisley
and Harper, her brother, Rex Sullivan (Cindi), nieces Heather (John) and Ashlee and of course her bonus
daughters, Kristen Slay (Jeremy) and Tana Sims and so many others that considered her mom and
Grammy.
A celebration of life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Alvarado, Tx on Thursday, October
13, 2022 with visitation at 10 am and service following at 11.

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