Leonora Phillips Privett Risher Beggs, 98, of Gulf Breeze, Florida., died on September 18, 2015, shortly after enjoying a view of beautiful Pensacola Bay from her home.

A native of Tyler, and a descendent of pioneer Alabama families prominent in the early development of the state, she was the daughter of William Girard Privett Jr. and Marguerite Ulmer Minter Privett.

Leonora survived her beloved husbands, James Oliver Risher Jr. of Tyler, and E. Dixie Beggs of Pensacola, Florida.

A 1934 graduate of Selma High School and 1938 graduate of Duke University, she majored in sociology and minored in psychology. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, a reporter, Dean’s List student and volunteer at the Duke Hospital.

In Alabama, Leonora was the first woman on the Dallas County United Appeal Board, T.B. Association Board member, Red Cross volunteer, Gray Lady, and president of both the Dallas County Council of Home Demonstration Clubs and Dallas County P.T.A. Council. A member of the Colonial Dames of America, she helped found the Pensacola Chapter soon after she moved to Florida.

At the First Presbyterian Church in Selma, she developed her interest in intercessory prayer, and later she helped start a similar prayer group at First Baptist Church of Pensacola. Leonora taught Sunday School first to wonderful young people at the Benton Baptist Church and then adults at First Baptist Church in Pensacola, which she joined in 1971. A Bible verse she loved was Phillippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Blessed with good eyesight, she loved reading to the very end, the Bible her daily companion, biographies, historical fiction and the works of George MacDonald, fantasy writer who greatly influenced C.S. Lewis. She loved sunsets and shorebirds, especially the Great Blue Herons she watched every day. “Natalie” was her angel German Shepherd she took on long walks in the neighborhood as long as she could. She delighted in cooking — especially desserts — photography, flowers, gardening, genealogy and travel to all continents except Antarctica.

She kept up with relatives and friends, as well as daughters’ friends across the globe. In later years, she was deeply grateful for and loved Annalyn Matson, her primary caregiver, and Dell Roadman as well as other caregivers. Carl Salter kindly and caringly made life at home possible. Leonora was especially close to her wonderful, caring physician, Jolita Klementaviciene.

Leonora is survived by two daughters; Ann Risher Phillips (Robert) of Signal Mountain, Tennessee and Carol Risher Brouha (Paul) of Sutton, Vermont; five grandchildren, Leonora Amanda Phillips Anderson (Eric) of New Orleans, James Phillips (Dr. Miki Phillips) of Wilmington, Delaware, William Phillips (Jessica) of Metairie, Louisiana, Dr. Brook Brouha (Dr. Sharon Brouha) of San Diego, California and Dr. Anne Brouha of Cambridge, Massachusetts; seven great grandchildren, Victoria, Alexandra and Jameson Phillips, Jackson, Harper and Landon Philips, Mira Grace Brouha; her husband’s children, Caroline Beggs Newell (Terry) of Amelia Island, Florida and Dixie Beggs (Vickie) of Marietta, Georgia; his grandchildren, William Newell (Kerry) of Leawood, Kansas, Margaret Newell of Boston, Massachusetts and Emily Beggs of Marietta, Georgia; and his great grandchildren, Ridley, Walker and Caroline Newell.

She leaves behind others to whom she was also close and devoted; sister-in-law, Beverly Risher McCulloch of Huntsville; cousins, Margaret Minter Hyatt of Atlanta and Maurice Brouha of Aurora, North Carolina and many dear nieces and nephews.

Services will be in the Pleitz Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Pensacola (500 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32501) on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 at 10 a.m., with a visitation at 9 a.m. in the atrium. Interment is at St. John’s Cemetery after the service. Pallbearers are Mrs. Beggs’s grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Dixie Beggs, Paul Brouha, Maurice Brouha, Harold Hobdy, Ronnie Holladay, Tommy Lane, Henry Long, William Lyon, Terry Newell, Robert Phillips, Bill Rives, Carl Salter and John Traylor.

The next day, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, a memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Benton Baptist Church (323 Washington St., Benton, AL 36785).

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, First Baptist Church of Pensacola, Benton Baptist Church or charity of your choice.