Michelle Antonette Leete

On January 4, 2024, Michelle Antonette Leete took her wings and joined her Heavenly Father. Michelle was born on July 25, 1967, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Lydia Leete. She attended Deep Creek High School. After her high school graduation, she briefly attended the University of Virginia before graduating in 1989 with honors from Elizabeth City State University, an Historically Black College and University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. She went on to earn both a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Villanova University, and an MBA in Strategic Leadership from Amberton University in 2015. Michelle was a woman of action and service. At the time of her passing, she was President of the Fairfax County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), one of the largest branches in the state of Virginia. Other NAACP leadership roles over the years included Treasurer, as well as First and Second Vice President. Her quest to fight for civil rights and social and economic justice was significantly engrained in her everyday life. In the fall of 2023, Michelle wrote to the members of the Fairfax County NAACP, "the work of social justice never ends . . . and voting is one of the most impactful things you can do for yourself and your community. It is not uncommon to see many elections with razor thin margins. Therefore, it is imperative that your vote and voice be counted." Michelle was a devoted, active and engaged member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she held numerous leadership positions. She was a member of the Executive Board Committee and the Chair of the Technology Committee as well as a member of the Eastern Regional Technology Committee. Michelle believed in education and was engaged in all aspects of her daughter, Sydney's education. Michelle served as President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of every school that Sydney attended. She served in several leadership positions with the Fairfax County Council of PTA and the Virginia PTA, where she served as Vice President of Training. Michelle was a long-time member of Jack and Jill of America, a group committed to the development of youth leadership skills within the African American community. Michelle held the title of President and was honored as the Jack and Jill of America 2021 Mother of the Year for the Burke Fairfax Chapter. Michelle was involved in many other professional, community, social and civic organizations including the Vice President of Strategy and Governance of the Washington DC Chapter of the Project Management Institute. She was also a member of the Urban League, The League of Women Voters and a former member of the Usher Board at her beloved Alfred Street Baptist Church. While she was a volunteer servant leader in her community and a loving and devoted mother, she performed her full-time job with excellence as the Information Technology Program Manager for the Architect of the Capitol. Additionally, prior to moving to Alexandria, she had a long and engaging career on Wall Street in New York City, including six years as a Program Manager with the New York Stock Exchange. When someone needed something done quickly, they knew they could always call on Michelle. Like Allstate, they knew that they were in good hands. While others were debating about what to do, she would have already cheerfully (and expertly) completed the task. Michelle loved a good belly laugh and good food and she combined them both when going out to eat. She did not mind paying for a good meal and a good time - no matter how much it cost. She would often conduct meetings at restaurants and her favorite yogurt shop, Sweet Frog. Her love of chocolate was legendary and was only matched by her passion for world travel. For all that Michelle did as a leader and a volunteer to serve organizations and her community, it all paled in comparison to the love that she had for her daughter Sydney - she was truly the light in her world. Michelle was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Sallie Bryant Jenkins and Moses Jenkins; son Myles Ashton Simon; nephew Tobias Jalen Morgan; and Uncle Carl Vernon Jenkins. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Sydney Simon of Alexandria, VA; mother Lynda Leete of Portsmouth, VA; sister Joy Morgan Thomas (Tobey) of Greenville, NC; three aunts, Angela Jenkins of Chesapeake, VA, Joelle Angel of Portsmouth, VA, and Sharon Clark (David) of Suffolk, VA; nephew Brandyn Morgan (Cleeander) of King George, VA; four first cousins, Anisa Cooper Conway (Neal) of Columbia, MD, Ramon Whitfield (Shameika) of Portsmouth, VA, Shadae Clark of Suffolk, VA, Alicia Clark of Chesapeake, VA; dear friend and former husband, Frederick Simon and a host of cousins, relatives and friends. Michelle will truly be missed by her family, and host of friends, sorority sisters and all that were blessed to know her.

Michelle Antonette Leete

July 25, 1967 - January 4, 2024