Leah M (Mcmanus) Sommers

Leah M. Sommers, 101, of Rootstown, passed away Saturday April 26, 2025 at the Woodlands health and Rehab in Ravenna, Ohio. Leah Sommers was a lifelong Rootstown resident and retired Ravenna kindergarten teacher who is descended from one of the township's founding families. She was also a lifelong member of Rootstown Church of Hope, formerly Rootstown Methodist Church, as her mother was, and she enjoyed spending time with family. Leah Sommers has a quick answer to the question often asked of those who reach the century mark: What's the key to her longevity? In order to live a life like this, I have faith in God and undue love and support from family, always, and friends."

Leah was born to John and Mildred McManus on Sept. 20, 1923. Her mother's maiden name was Chapman and the Chapman family history in Rootstown goes back to its founding in about 1800 when Nathan Chapman was on the original surveying party. Nathan Chapman then stayed in what became Rootstown as a settler. Of interesting note, another direct relative was John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. She remembers once taking her mother, who did not drive, to talk about him to Rootstown elementary school students.

During World War II, while attending college, she also worked in Akron at the old Goodyear Air Dock with the production of Corsair fighter planes and other aircraft thus her Rosie the Riveter honors.  With her small frame, only 98 pounds, she had difficulties handling the heavy welding equipment she would have needed to use. Eventually she was assigned to a job in a hangar at the airport in Akron, an expediter, she made sure that the workers building the planes had the parts they needed. Other areas she worked at while attending Kent State University was by babysitting and caring for a professor's children.

Leah studied at Kent State University and, in the summer, at Hiram College, then started teaching kindergarten in the Ravenna schools in 1948. She also spent about eight years in the 1950s teaching in a six-week summer program designed to help prepare Rootstown students for first grade. That lasted until the district was able to start a full-time kindergarten program. She then worked full time for the Ravenna Board of Education. Her experience with the Ravenna started at the old Chestnut Elementary School for two years and then transferred to the new Tappan Elementary School.  Of special note she was given a free hand to design the floor for the kindergarten room of which became a standard for many years for other school districts. The floor included the alphabet in the outer ring and all the rainbow colors and numerals for 0 – 9 inside the ring with a center circle. She felt this put all the children at an equal level as there were no rows or rankings. Truly ahead of her time. Her reflections included the love for her children and parents and their support to minimize problems and make the program fun. Aquariums, rabbits, small pets and field trips to the little swamp for frog eggs and many more adventures all enhanced the learning experience.

Leah stepped back from teaching after 26 years and was going to retire, however she was asked to stay on to handle the federal title funding purchases.  After another ten years she then retired in 1984.

While in retirement she enjoyed traveling, cruises and staying in touch with those she had built a relationship with over a lifetime.  Leah’s sister Martha and her were well known to take off on short adventures never knowing what was going to happen. As her extended family grew over the years she was always in attendance for the occasion, holidays birthdays and many other special celebrations. Her interest in professional baseball with the Cleveland Guardians (Indians) became a passion where she would faithfully watch the games and could tell you amazing statistics on just about any player. Her touch with orchids was second to none as the constant blooms year-round on the many plants only reflected her love.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lester C. Sommers, Sr. on November 22, 1997 and her sister Martha Lawrence.  Survivors include her children Lester C. Sommers, Jr., John (Billie Jo) Sommers, her grandchildren Beverly Sommers, Corley (Luke) Summers, her great grandchildren Tyler, Madison, Camden, Riley, Liam, Logan. Levi and her great great grandchildren Leah, Dean and Dakota.  In honoring  her wishes, cremation has taken place. Private family services were held at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel and she was laid to rest with her husband Lester Sr. at Homeland Cemetery Rootstown, Ohio.  Please visit www.sscfuneralhomes.com to offer a condolence, share a memory or light a candle in Leah's honor. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Portage County APL or Happy Trails in Ravenna.