Leander Esco Sibley

Leander Esco Sibley of Little Rock, Ark., born December 10, 1916 in Liverpool, Louisiana, the second child of the late Aquila and Minnie Fields Sibley; made his triumphant transition on March 12, 2014 completing his earthly journey. Leander spent his early childhood in Kentwood, Louisiana and attended O'Dillard High School. He accepted Christ at a very early age and united with the Temple Chapel Baptist Church in Louisiana. In 1944 he migrated to Los Angeles, where he joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. In 1963 Leander relocated to Duarte, California and united with Second Baptist Church of Monrovia, California, where he served as: President of the Senior Usher board for 22 years, 3rd Vice President of the Union Usher Board of California, Southern District, Inc., instructor for the School of Ushering in the Western Baptist State Convention, and President of the Ushers Presidents Counsel. Leander moved to Little Rock, Arkansas in August 1988 and united with the Longley Baptist Church and served as a senior usher, LBC Sunday School, and Men's Ministry, He united with St. Mark Baptist Church, November 1996, and returned to Longley April 27, 2008 to be closer to home. He retired from Blue Diamond Steel Company in 1975 after 31 years and became an entrepreneur as a Professional gardener. Leander united in marriage to Lillie Mae Stewart and to this union their beloved daughter Norma was born. In 1954 he met was married to Virginia Owens Johnson for over 57 years. Leander was preceded in death by his parents, sister, brother, and his daughter Norma Gillum. Celebrating his life, his devoted wife, Virginia Sibley; 5 grandchildren: Cynthia Harris (James); Yvonne Fisher (David), Arthur Gillum Jr. (Vicky); Herman Gillum (Valencia), and Sherman Gillum; 16 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Open visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. today (Friday) at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock (501) 661-9111. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Longley Baptist Church, 9900 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72209. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.