Leila “Carol” Leatham, resident of Mesa, AZ passed away on December 18th, 2025 at the age of 95. Carol was born in Miami, AZ in 1930, then moved to Mesa, and graduated from Mesa High School in 1948. This is where she also met her husband to be, Nyle.

After their first date at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, they never dated another person. Ten years before having any children, Carol, with Nyle of course, traveled and explored Arizona and other states. They both loved the Superstition Mountains and spent a lot of time there. 

After they added Alan to the family, along came Rob, David and Susan! Carol became the classic homemaker. She excelled at sewing, even making prom and wedding dresses. Later, she loved creating embroidery patterns and putting them on skirts, jackets, and anything else she could find. 

She worked in the church with the youth and with the local Native Americans. She learned to make amazing fry bread and even manned the fry bread booth at the State Fair. She was also the Relief Society President for many years. Once retired, Carol and Nyle traveled all over the country and the world meeting people — who never forgot them. 

Being known in the shooting industry as “Rob's mom” was a great point of pride. She even had a shirt she wore to the events embroidered with “Rob’s Mom”! She recently went to a match where the Japanese shooting team lined up to take photos with her. 

Carol will be greatly missed by her sons Robert and David, her 14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and her brother Richard. But we are all certain that Carol is very happy to now be in the arms of Nyle, Alan, Susan, her parents Alfred and Leila, and her other siblings Lillian, Ruth, & Mae, who have all gone before her.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 from 9:30am to 10:45am, with the celebration of life starting at 11:00am at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N McDonald. Mesa, AZ 85201. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 pm located at Mesa City Cemetery. 1212 N Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201.