Joyce Genelda Cochran Perkins Leiby's Obituary
Joyce Genelda Cochran Perkins Leiby, age 90, a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, heard her Savior say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”, on September 9, 2025.
Joyce, the oldest of seven children, was born January 14, 1935, to Robert F. and Bessie Jane Cochran in Webster County, WV. When she was only 8 years old, she made the most important decision of her life. She asked Jesus to forgive her sins and become Lord of her life. That decision would shape the rest of her life.
After graduating from Glenville State College, she moved to Cleveland, OH, where she would serve as an elementary school teacher for the next 30 years. Joyce joined Cleveland Baptist Church and continued to share her love for Jesus with others as she taught Sunday School for over 50 years. She also enjoyed singing in the choir.
After losing her first husband Harold “Pat” Perkins to a heart attack, the Lord brought another Godly man into Joyce’s life, Jake Leiby. After Joyce retired from the school system, she and Jake traveled the world, enjoying God‘s creation and spreading the Good News of Jesus to as many as they could. One of their trips included being able to visit Mount Kenya Baptist Church in Nanyuki, Kenya, a church Joyce helped fund after Pat’s passing. It is thriving today.
Joyce always enjoyed giving her time to different volunteer ministries or just being a blessing to someone’s life. If she learned of a need, she often would quietly help meet that need, not for earthly recognition, but to bring honor and glory to her Heavenly Father.
After Jake’s passing in 2013, Joyce’s health began to decline and she moved to Sevierville, TN to be close to her son, Chuck and his family. Those years were a gift from the Lord. Her life was a gift to her entire family, and she would tell you her family was her “treasure” from the Lord.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Bessie and Robert, her beloved husbands, Harold “Pat” Perkins (23 years) and John “Jake” Leiby (27 years); son John Perkins; stepson, Kent Leiby; sisters, Shelva Jones and Lynn Williams.
Joyce will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her son, Chuck (Dawn) Perkins; step-children, Jane Leiby and John Leiby Jr.; daughter-in-law, Michelle Perkins Gismondi; grandchildren Rob (Jessica) Perkins, Shawn (Jessica) Perkins, Katie, Kellie and Kimberly Perkins, Jane Kim, and John Leiby III; great-granddaughter, Felicity Perkins; brothers Bobby (Sandra) Cochran, Larry (Becky) Cochran, Max (Vivian) Cochran; sister, Hope Thomas; brother-in-law, Carl Williams; sister-in-law, Jayne Krohn; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cleveland Baptist Church, Founders Hall,
4431 Tiedeman Rd, Cleveland OH, on Monday, September 29 at 1:00 pm
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