Cari Lea Ezennia; 28; departed this life on Aug. 12; 2013. Born in Houston; Texas; March 27; 1985; to Leslie Faye Lea and Ralph Ezennia; she resided in Lake Dallas; Texas. Most recognizable by her bright smile and amber eyes; Cari pursued her career aspirations at Baylor University in Waco; Texas; after graduating from R.L. Turner High School.Anastute intellect; Cari studied Biology and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. While at Baylor; Cari left her mark as an active member in a number of student organizations taking on leadership roles. She was most proud; however; of her membership in the Pi Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Through this world renowned organization and in keeping with her natural propensity to be of service to others; Cari mentored to numerous underclassmen and tutored primary; middle; and secondary level students in mathematics and reading. Upon graduation; Cari maintained her Texan roots and returned to Lake Dallas where she secured employment as a Financial Analyst with Citi Mortgage. Blessed with many talents; Cari not only trained as an investment banker; but she also actively pursued the alternate careers of attorney and physician. With great ambition; she studied and sat for the law school entrance exam (LSAT) and scored well above the acceptable entry level score even while maintaining full-time employment at Citi Mortgage. In addition to her continual pursuit of knowledge and desire to broaden her career options; Cari served as a community leader. Away from work; she organized an adult summer softball league and coached one of the league members. She worked tirelessly at recruiting players and league members and conducted numerous fundraising events to contribute to its success. Cari’s true passion rested in spending time with her baby brother and love of her life; Evan. She spent a significant amount of time proctoring and nurturing him and never missed an opportunity to spoil him. One of her life’s goals was to do everything she could to make all of his dreams come true. Cari’s pursuits were sidelined when she became ill in 2010 due to surgical complications. Despite her constant medical challenges; she fought the good fight and eventually managed to fulfill another one of her dreams – to live in Los Angeles; Calif. Although deteriorating health conditions forced her to return to Texas; she did so with great hope and grand plans for the future. Cari’s bright smile was silenced after an extended hospital stay. She went on to be with our Lord and her maternal grandparents; Edward and Evelyn Lea; leaving her mother; Leslie Faye Lea; and brother; Evan Lea; both of Lake Dallas; Texas; to cherish her memory. She is also survived by her father; Ralph Ezennia who resides in Nigeria; paternal grandmother; Bridget Ezennia and aunt; Linda Ezennia Carter; respectively; of Houston; Texas. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her aunts; Michele Lea-Stokes of Los Angeles; Calif.; and Terri Lea of Washington; D.C.; and uncle; Eddie Lea of Monessen. To celebrate her life; Cari leaves her cousins with whom she maintained a special bond; Timothy Stokes of Pittsburgh; Edward Lea III of Pittsburgh; Darien Stokes of Brooklyn; N.Y.; Cameron Stokes of Los Angeles; Calif.; Shannon Stokes of Lebanon; and Amara Lea-Ahaghotu of Washington; D.C. She will remain in the hearts of her great-aunt; Joan Green of Gastonville; and a host of loving cousins; sorority sisters; and loyal friends. Family and friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Monday; Aug. 19; at Union Baptist Church; 670 McMahon Ave.; Monessen. Services will be held at the church 11 a.m. Tuesday; Aug. 20; with Minister Millie Thomas officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen; 724-684-6242.

William Alfred Lea; 85; of Monessen; passed away peacefully Saturday; Nov. 19; 2011; after a brief illness. Born Oct. 30; 1926; in Monessen; he was the eldest child of the late Ferry and Sylvia Lea. On Sept. 3; 1955; he married Ida Mae Patterson. She passed away after a lengthy illness on March 23; 2007. In addition to his parents and wife; he was preceded in death by brothers Louis; Dallas; Edward; and Warren Lea. Bill was a resident of the Mon Valley region for most of his life. He worked in the steel industry for the entire duration of his professional career; retiring from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. Following retirement; Bill found enjoyment in playing the lottery and spending time with family and friends. He leaves behind daughters; Lana (John) Kim; Lea-Campbell and Tana Lea; both of Washington; Pa.; stepson; Stanley (Barbara) Hamlin; of Atlanta; grandson; Treg Campbell; of Washington; Pa. Prior to his marriage; he leaves behind a daughter; Alice (Zinka) Ellis; of Washington; Pa.; and a son; Dwayne (Alice) Lea; of Williamstown; N.J.; caregiver and friend Belinda Milligan; of Monessen; and a host of nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday; Nov. 22; 2011; in Union Baptist Church; 670 McMahon Ave.; Monessen; followed by funeral services with Elder Jack Howell officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 6th St.; Monessen; PA 15062.

Evelyn W. Lea; 77; of Monessen; formerly of Clairton; departed this life suddenly on Tuesday; Sept. 27; 2011. She was a longtime resident of the Mon Valley for 53 years; she worked and retired from Corning Glass Works; formerly located in Charleroi. During post retirement; Evelyn achieved an Associate’s Degree in Business at the Douglas School of Business. More recently; she was employed by the Monessen School District as a teaching assistant at the Monessen Elementary Center. As an avid and devoted member of the Union Baptist Church in Monessen; she served as the financial secretary; a member of the senior choir; the secretary of the missionary board; and she also assisted with the operations associated with the clothing missionary. She is better known by her church family and community for her nut rolls and sweet potato pies; which she donated regularly in support of the building fund and craft classes. Evelyn enjoyed 37 years of matrimony with her beloved husband; Edward F. Lea Sr.; who preceded her in death in 1993. Born on Feb. 1; 1934; in Clairton; she was the 12th of 14 children of the late Thomas and Carrie Collins. Always a devoted sister and friend to each; she will be reunited in Heaven with her sisters; Myrtle Davis; Faye Sterling; Ethel Hall; Mattie Ballard and Ellen Martin; and her brothers; Thomas; Charles; Earl; Wendell and Kenneth Collins. She leaves to cherish her memory; her sisters; Millicent Adams; of Clairton; Thomasene Goodwin; of Bronx; N.Y. and Joan Green; of Finleyville. Evelyn will be deeply missed and most remembered by her four children; Dr. Michele Lea-Stokes; of Los Angeles; Leslie Faye Lea; of Dallas; Terry Y. Lea; Esquire; of Washington; D.C.; and Edward F. Lea Jr.; of Monessen. She leaves to celebrate her life; nine grandchildren (to whom she played an active and fruitful role in each of their lives) Timothy L. Stokes Jr.; Cari Lea Ezennia; Edward F. Lea III; Darien C. Stokes; Cameron D. Stokes; Shannon M. Stokes; Blair Lea; Amara Lea-Ahaghotu and Evan I. Lea; several nieces and nephews; to whom she held a special bond; a godchild; Kami Lea Lomax; of Ft. Lauderdale; Fla.; and a host of faithful friends. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday; Sept. 30; and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday; Oct. 1; until the hour of service at Union Baptist Church; 670 McMahon Ave.; Monessen; with Pastor Verton L. Dean officiating. Interment will take place at Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC;; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen; (724) 684-6242.