Leila Sally - Obituary

eila Bentley Sally, a true Southern lady with a strong independent spirit, sweet gentle charm, and a generous heart, passed away November 13, 2012, at age 90. She was under compassionate Hospice care after a 4-month struggle with complications following a stroke. Leila was born July 2, 1922, in Selma, Alabama, where she grew up on a farm with her father Willis Bentley, mother Louise Gayle, and older brother Gayle. She remained in Selma enjoying the small town life until meeting and marrying the love of her life, Wallace Reid Sally, in 1950. He was in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Craig AFB in Selma, where she worked as a Civil Servant in the cadet personnel office. They had two children, Barbara Louise and Wallace Reid Jr. Leila was a devoted Air Force wife for 35 years, until Wallace's death in 1985. They made homes on bases in Kansas, North and South Carolina, and Maryland, and endured long separations during Wallace's deployment in Guam, Korea, Vietnam, and Germany. During her married life Leila worked as a "homemaker extraordinaire." After her husband's death, she went to work in the Membership Department at the Reserve Officers Association on Capitol Hill, where he had worked as Building Manager following his retirement from the Air Force in 1974, and she continued there for 19 years. Leila loved military life and made new friends easily. She was passionate about doing volunteer work at the military hospitals and family service centers, and was active in the NCO Wives Clubs and Protestant Women of the Chapel organizations. She also enthusiastically supported her children by helping out on field trips, class parties, and special occasions at their schools and serving as a Girl and Boy Scout troop leader, Sunday School teacher, and Vacation Bible School teacher. Leila loved the Lord, was raised in the Episcopal faith, and worshipped in the General Protestant services at the military chapels. Leila was an amazing seamstress who excelled at sewing clothing, embroidery, needlepoint, crochet, and hooked rugs. She always had some project in the works and especially enjoyed making gifts for other people. Many lucky folks have received some of her counted cross stitch masterpieces. She was also an avid reader of romance novels and a faithful fan of the Washington Redskins. While not athletically inclined, she could throw a mean bowling ball and played on women's bowling leagues for many years. But by far, her best talent was in the kitchen where she excelled at cooking and baking. Friends and family were always welcome and thrilled to be invited to dinner at the Sally house. Leila was preceded in death by her father Willis, her mother Louise, her brother Gayle, and her husband Wallace. She leaves to treasure her memory: devoted daughter Barbara of Upper Marlboro MD, devoted son Wally and daughter-in-law Cheryl of Walkersville MD, adored granddaughters Jayme Fletcher and husband Jeff of Woodsboro MD and Leila Sally of Frederick MD, precious great-granddaughter Madelynne Fletcher of Woodsboro MD, beloved sister-in-law Rose Woods and husband James of Durham NC, along with nieces and nephews and so many other relatives and dear friends, as well as cherished granddogs Daisy and Bentley. Family and friends are invited to Leila's Life Celebration on Monday, November 19 from 10am until time of services at 12 Noon at the 1st Baptist Chruch of Camp Springs, 6936 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or the Salavation Army. Please leave your thoughts and memories by signing the online guestbook located above.