Janis Marie Evans Leach, age 86, changed her address from the shores of Toledo Bend Lake to the golden streets of Heaven on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. She and her twin sister were born on their brother’s 10th birthday on July 19, 1940.
Our WaWa had a beautiful way of making people feel cared for, remembered, and valued. Her love and thoughtfulness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her, especially the 2nd grade students she taught and the basketball players that her husband coached over the years. Birthday cards, inspirational emails, “Our Daily Bread” devotional booklets, thoughtful and personal gifts, having “one more for good measure” picture taken, or being prayed for in her prayer room were just a few of the many ways you knew you were loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.O. and Constance Coker Evans; her beloved twin, Janet Toms; and her son-in-law, Kelvin Matthews. She will be immensely missed by her cherished husband of 65 years, Jimmy Leach, of Many, Louisiana; daughter, Cissy Leach Matthews Arthur, and husband, Marty, of Florien, Louisiana; and son, Jim Brady Leach, and wife, Lisa, of Florien, Louisiana. WaWa’s world revolved around her grandchildren: Caroline Matthews Chandler, and husband, Dustin, of Evans, Georgia; Colby Matthews, and wife, Korie, of Anacoco, Louisiana; Cameron Taitano, and husband, Joe, of Natchitoches, Louisiana; Chance Grappe, of Florien, Louisiana; Kory Arthur of Benton, Louisiana; and Nick Arthur of Vail, Colorado. WaWa joyfully celebrated the recent birth of her first great-granddaughter, Magnolia Marie Chandler, and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first great-grandson, Hutt David Matthews. Other survivors include her brother, Dr. J. Bruce Evans, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; her sister, Barbara Evans Rogers, of Shreveport, Louisiana, and an extended host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Florien. Memorial service will begin at 3:00 PM with Rev. Bill Blackmon and Rev. Wayne Chance officiating. Our family would be honored if attendees would wear purple in loving memory of our dearly loved WaWa.
In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly suggested in her memory to the Janis Leach Memorial Account at First Baptist Church of Florien, 125 East Port Arthur Avenue, Florien, Louisiana 71429.