To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2-4 Leah Dingle Governor, affectionately called "Sis" by some, was born July 13, 1919, to the late Sheppard and Emma Dingle of Pineville, South Carolina. She left quietly and peacefully to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning, April 13, 2010. She was at the Hospice of Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, after a brief stay at Roper Hospital, Charleston, South Carolina. Leah was the last born of 13 siblings and the last to die. The rich legacy of the Sheppard Dingle Family was best illustrated in the life of the 90 year old who was considered the family's matriarch. Inspired by Christian values instilled in her by her parents, Sis became an active member in Day Dawn Baptist Church where she joined at an early age. She married her childhood sweetheart, the late Buster (Fox) Governor, in October 1938, and were blessed with four children, one of whom preceded Leah in death, Antonio Governor. Leah moved her membership from Day Dawn to St. Stephen Baptist Church when she and Buster moved to what is known as the Old Field Section of St. Stephen. Several of the joys of Leah's life were working in the church, planting vegetables and beautiful flowers, helping others, and being around people. At church, she was a member of the Ushers' Board, The Missionary Board, the Senior Choir, and the Pastor's Aid. She and her circle of friends were called the "All Purpose Christians" who eagerly provided service to the church whenever help was needed. She was a generous, kind-hearted lady who shared the harvest from her vegetable garden with family and friends. Her ministry was one of loving and showing kindness to God's people. She was one of the first women in her community who learned to drive, and she would take women and children in need of medical care to doctors' appointments in towns as far away as Charleston, Florence, and Columbia. Her concern for a better community led her to speak out on social issues affecting quality of life and needed improvements in the community. She and two of her neighbors became community advocates for electric lights in homes, home telephones, paved roads, and naming of residential streets. Neighbors and government representatives who told the advocates they were wasting their time watched for years, in some instances, before seeing the results of the advocates' work. On one occasion, Leah (Sis) told government officials in Columbia who said she would never live to see the day her street would be paved to "Just wait and see." Leah and several of her neighbors could be seen cleaning that street for years, picking up paper and debris, long before the paving and even afterwards. In the late 1950s, Leah was among the few women drivers licensed in Berkeley County as school bus drivers. In the early 1960s, her desire to become an entrepreneur became a reality when she opened KIDDIE LAND, the first federally funded day care center in the area. The 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. business afforded families and single women in particular an opportunity to place their children in a safe, secure facility while they were at work. KIDDIE LAND had a tremendous impact on the financial stability of working people in the community. When that business closed because of cuts in federal funds in the late 70s, Leah's taste of success in business led her to turn the facility into the largest entertainment club in the area. Every popular entertainer of that era appeared at Leah Governor's Place, which closed in the late 80s. Leah was educated in the only public school at that time in her area, J.K. Gourdine. She and her siblings, as well as others in the community, had to walk close to one mile each way to get to school. Two work ethics lessons she instilled in her children and those she raised were hard work and an honest day's work for a day's pay. Although Leah became ill in 1986, she was able to assume most daily chores with some supervision. However, in 1997 when her children thought it best for her to leave home and live with them, she first lived with Helen (her middle daughter and Jasper (son-in-law) in New York; then her eldest daughter Doris who relocated to South Carolina; and her youngest child, Vivian, in Maryland. Always reminding her daughter that "every frog has a home," her desire to go back home led her children to honor their mother's request. She returned home in 2007 where she had many enjoyable moments with her children who not only stayed for long periods of time but came to visit often. She also had several devoted and loving caregivers who took excellent care of her. Those who will forever cherish fond memories and celebrate her life are three daughters, Dr. Doris Deloris Dingle, (Orangeburg, SC), Mrs. Helen (Jasper) Murray (East Elmhurst, NY), and Mrs. Vivian Salters (Randallstown, MD); two nephews whom she raised from their early years, Mr. Buddy (Angie) Dingle (Newport News, VA) and Mr. Robert (Georgie Mae) Dingle (Jamaica, NY); Mr. Robert Spann (Russellville, SC) and Mr. James (Bessie) Major (Summerville, SC), who lived with her family for several years; six loving grandchildren and four great grandchildren; a host of relatives and friends. To God be the glory for the great things Leah accomplished throughout her life, not only for herself, but also always mindful of the needs of others. To God be the glory for the legacy of a strong, courageous woman. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7