Norma Jo Leaf

Norma Jo (Miles) Leaf

March 24, 1929 — August 11, 2025

On Monday, August 11, 2025 Norma Leaf previously from Stamford Texas passed from this earthly place into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior. Welcomed by her husband, Stan, who in a love letter wrote, “I can’t wait for you to get here!”

Norma Jo Leaf was born at home in Wichita, Kansas on March 24, 1929, the second child to James Arthur Miles and Helen Beulah (Rosenberger) Miles. She grew up with her three brothers and two sisters in Ashland, Kansas. Starting school in a country schoolhouse with her older brother, the teacher said Norma (age 3) might as well come along too. Reading at a young age, she would read stories to her little sisters. Having a special place in her heart for animals, Norma saved baby bunnies from the jaws and belly of a bull snake. Using a hoe, she killed the snake, removed the bunny from the snake’s mouth, then proceeded to surgically extract the remaining bunnies from the snake’s insides. Norma had always wanted a horse of her own and would sometimes ride one of the cows up from the pasture to the barn. After high school graduation in 1946 and completing secretarial school in 1947, she worked as a secretary for S.A. Long Company. She met the love of her life, C. Stanley Leaf, at the soda shop where her best friend worked. Stan and Norma were married August 27, 1949. Norma never thought she would marry a preacher; however, Stan joined the ministry two years after they were married. Norma’s vocation in life was her husband, children and her many cats, dogs, and horses. Stan, Norma, and Erin moved with their cats, dogs, and horses to Texas in 1971. Norma rode and showed her Arabian horses and participated in many of the Stamford Texas Cowboy Reunion parade. After Stan’s death in 2015, Norma moved to Pennsylvania to live with her daughter and her daughter’s husband. In 2018, Norma moved into the Middletown Home in Middletown, Pennsylvania. She received exceptional care until her death.

Left to cherish Norma’s memories are her two sons Mike Leaf of Wellington, KS, Dan Leaf and his wife Kathy of Fort Worth, TX; daughter Erin Delleney and her husband Casey of McAllen, TX; her grandchildren Joshua Leaf and wife Christin, Stephen Leaf and wife Shannon, Rebecca Johnson and husband Thomas, Katie Ludwick and husband Scott, Miles Delleney and wife Lindsi and Mallory Muzykoski and husband Alex; 17 great grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce Nichols of Shawnee Mission, KS and Helen Miles of Hays, KS; special family member Sherry Luhring and her husband Rich of Virginia. Her brother-in-law John Leaf of Lindsborg, KS and brother-in-law Rolland Leaf of Spearville, KS. Norma will be remembered as an exceptional person. She loved her family, loved animals, and was always kind to others.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Stan, her parents, her brothers, Glenn Miles, Max Miles, Jimmy Miles, and her daughter-in-law Sherry Leaf.

Norma’s Family will gather at Tankersley Funeral Home, 807 Columbia St., in Stamford, TX on Friday, August 15th from 5 to 6 p.m. for visitation with family and friends. Norma’s Life will be celebrated on Saturday, the 16th of August at 11:00 a.m. in the Bethel Lutheran Church (Ericksdahl Community), 10625 FM 600N, Avoca, TX with Rev. Richard Strait and Johnna Page PLM officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

If you choose to do a memorial, the family requested The Middletown Home (999 West Harrisburg Pike

Middletown, PA 17057), the Stamford Food Bank, Stamford VIP or your favorite charity.