LEORA MAY (REID) HEMPHILL

     Leora Hemphill returned to her heavenly home on January 14, 2016.  She passed peacefully with family present and a firm belief in God to send her on her next journey.

   Leora was born February 5, 1926, in Rocky Ford, CO, to Hugh and Elsie Reid.  She is survived by her husband John F. Hemphill and four children: Vicky Cooley (Walt), John Hemphill Jr. (Diana), Herb Hemphill (Jody), and Deborah Schwartz (Mark). 

     Leora had an adventurous life and was always up for a challenge.  While she was a young girl, her family moved to central CA during the Depression and then back to Rocky Ford, CO, where she graduated from high school in 1944.  Leora had a love for fashion and design as well as music.  She worked at the J. C. Penney Co. during her sophomore year of high school and then Montgomery Ward.  She enjoyed playing the piano and singing in the church choir.

     She met the love of her life, John Hemphill, when she was only in the second grade through family ties.  While John was home from the Navy during WWII, they renewed their friendship and the two were married November 17, 1946, at the Rocky Ford Baptist Church.   They then moved to Pueblo, CO, where they lived on a farm, raised four children and were 4H Leaders; Leora taught the kids cooking and sewing.  In the fall of 1960, she moved with her husband and four children to Richland, WA, where she worked in the Hanford Area for many years until a serious bus accident forced her retirement. 

     Leora loved to travel.  With her faith in God and the support of family and friends, she was able to continue her adventures.  They bought a summer home in AK along with a boat named “Family Fun.”   They traveled to AK for several years enjoying the wildlife and scenery of AK along with fishing and having fun with family and visitors.  In addition, she traveled to many States and European countries.

     Leora’s life was full.  She and John shared 69 wonderful years together and were blessed with the love of a large family and many friends.  Leora always kept a strong faith and was an active member of Southside United Protestant Church in Richland.

     She leaves behind her immediate family, twin sister Leona Stauffer, younger sister Lucille Lance, 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

     Services will be held at Einan’s Sunset Gardens Event Center in Richland, WA, on Friday, January 22, 2016. Viewing will begin at noon followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. and then a short graveside service.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to Tri-Cities Hospice and Southside United Protestant Church, Richland.