Samuel Eli Leatherbury

GYSGT (USMC Ret.) Samuel Eli Leatherbury, entered into his eternal rest surrounded by family and close friends on April 4, 2023, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He was born on August 13, 1956, in Salisbury, MD to Samuel William Leatherbury and Kathleen I. (Hamilton) Leatherbury. He was educated in the Wicomico County School District and graduated from Wicomico Sr. High School in 1974. Samuel Eli enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 1974, and rose to become a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Among his duty stations were Camp Pendleton, CA; Camp Fuji, Japan; Quantico, VA; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Bahrain; Kuwait; and Camp Lejeune in Cherry Point, NC. He survived a great fire that resulted during a Typhoon while stationed at Camp Fuji, Japan in 1979. He served in the first Gulf War in 1991. A decorated serviceman, GYSGT Leatherbury was honorably retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1994 after 20 years of active-duty service. Upon retirement he served as a Project Manager at MACI, Inc., and retired after 20 years of service (1999-2020) from Ameritas where he worked as Corporate Facilities Coordinator. In addition to his military assignment, Samuel Eli was a talented musician. He found time to teach music to aspiring musicians and to teach basketball skills to young children and teenagers both on military installations and in his local communities. This was a passion he took seriously and was able to minister to their spiritual and developmental needs using his talents. He was also a member of the Gospel Inspirations of Brandywine, Maryland and Blessed Connection of Clinton, MD musical groups and a member of New Horizon Gospel Ministries in Clinton, MD. Left to cherish Samuel Eli Leatherbury's memory are his loving and devoted wife of nearly 11 years, Valerie Parker Leatherbury of Upper Marlboro, MD; son Eli Jacque' Denard Leatherbury of Detroit, MI, and stepson Alex Parker of Upper Marlboro, MD; granddaughter Elani Chinae' Leatherbury of AZ; goddaughter, Solo Simone Alexander of Clinton, MD; parents Samuel William Leatherbury, Kathleen I. Leatherbury of Salisbury, MD, and father-in-law Carl Parker I of Forestville, MD. He is also survived by four siblings; Bathsheba L. Burks (Leon, Sr.) of Salisbury, MD, Ulam Leatherbury (Marcia) of Wesley Chapel, FL, Judith L. Brown (Roger) of Eden, MD, Michael W. Leatherbury (Inez) of Tampa, FL, sister-in-law Patricia Parker-Casey of Upper Marlboro, MD, brother-in-law Carl Parker II of Waldorf, MD, and Timothy Parker (Natasha) of Bowie, MD. Additionally, he leaves seven nieces, fourteen nephews, two great nieces, six great nephews, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, extended family cherish his memory. Samuel Eli Leatherbury was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Matthew Leatherbury, Sr., paternal grandmother Emma G. Leatherbury, maternal grandfather Forrest Briggs Hamilton, maternal grandmother Lucille (Bullett) Hamilton Holmes, grandfather Robert Holmes, one sister Gloria Leatherbury Jones, his daughter Tyasia Chinae' Leatherbury, nephew-in-law, Raouf B. Abdullah, mother-in-law Mary Parker, and brother-in-law Daniel Parker. Family and friends may attend a Public Viewing at 7:00 p.m. on April 14, 2023, held at New Horizon Gospel Ministries, 8324 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday April 15, 2023 at 11:00 p.m. at Westphalia Christian Community Church, 9363 D'Arcy Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 with calling hours one hour prior to service. A military committal and burial service will take place at a later date at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623 in Prince Georges' County, MD. A ministry of comfort and dignity is being provided by Pope Funeral Homes.

Samuel Eli Leatherbury

August 13, 1956 - April 4, 2023