Odem - On the beautiful afternoon of September 14, 2024, Leesa Gayle Sager, placed her hand in the loving embrace of God, finding peace and ending her fight on her own terms. After a brave four-year battle with cancer, she chose to enter hospice care, guided by her own strength and grace. Leesa was born on October 4, 1965, to Forrest (Juke) and Ludonna Burnham in Crosbyton, Texas. She spent most of her school years in Round Rock, graduating high school there in 1984. She then went on to earn an associate’s degree at Dallas Institute of Fashion and then getting a business degree from Tarleton State University in 1989. It was there that she met the love of her life, Malcolm Sager, and they married on November 19, 1989. They spent their first years together in Childress, Texas, then moved to Nazareth for several years before moving to Odem, Texas, to escape the freezing panhandle winters. They had two children, Alexis and Hayden, and they were the loves of her life. It didn’t matter what the situation, Leesa always made the best of it. She drove the kids to stock shows, school events, and family occasions, always having them look like they stepped out of a catalog. Their friends were always welcome in their home to share food and fun, all the while she listened to their life stories with a smile and loving heart. Whatever the issue, whether it might be a regular dinner, school programs, or pigs with the scours right before a stock show, she dug her heels in and made it happen. “Can’t” didn’t exist in her world, especially if her children were concerned.  Driving a huge pickup, hauling a horse trailer through 5 o'clock San Antonio traffic didn’t faze her one bit! Fearless, she was!  If you knew Leesa, you never forgot her smile, her laugh, and most of all, her compassionate hand to anyone who needed it. She was known to pick up an abandoned dog by the side of the road, having it soon end up on her sofa, snuggled in like it had always belonged there. It’s a rare person who can make any day a special occasion, but Leesa possessed that quality.  She loved her home and her flowers, and was looking forward to fall, putting mums and pumpkins out for the season. And, if you were especially lucky, you got to hear her sing…she had the voice of an angel; and she shared this gift with so many in church and at various occasions.
When the diagnosis of colon cancer came in 2020, she met it head on…never curling up and being defeated. She spent hours online, on the phone, searching for the best hospitals, the best clinical trials, the best doctors. Not one time did Leesa shy away from the incredible odds heavily stacked against her…recovery at MD Anderson from major surgery in 2020 had to be done alone due to Covid restrictions…the only connection was through the phone. Every time she had an appointment, she dressed in beautiful clothes, as she always did, with bright, happy colors; it was as if each day was a special one, and all the nurses, doctors, and fellow patients commented on how joyful she looked. She possessed a particularly amazing strength during this time, and her incredibly positive attitude buoyed her family and anyone around her beyond measure.

In the end, none of us have control of the life path that is brought to us. It matters how we show up. The fabric of her DNA will forever live on in her children and their children.
She was kind, brave, and patient with whatever the diagnoses of metastatic cancer brought, ending up in the lungs, lymph nodes, and her liver. Even knowing the odds, Leesa unfailingly faced the reality with courage and strength. She will be missed each and every day, a part of our heart is forever taken. However, we know she no longer enduring the pain and anguish of cancer. She is flying with the angels who will forever watch over us.

Leesa lost her beloved father, Forrest (Juke), in 2010, her youngest brother, Paul, in 2018, and her loving mother, Ludonna, in 2022. 

She will be watching over her husband, Malcolm Ray Sager, her daughter, Alexis and husband Hunter Hesseltine and daughter Emery Ray, her son, Hayden Ray and wife, Emily Sager, her brothers, Dr. Nick Burnham of Graham, and David Burnham and wife Stacia of Weatherford, Texas.
Her Sister-in-law, Kathy Saied and husband Sammy of Amarillo, her brother-in-law, Will Sager and wife Kelly of Iowa.
Nieces and Nephews Tita and Clay, Ben, Cole, and Colby, Ashley, Julie, and Corey
David, Mark, Sean, Steven and Mary Katherine, and Meghan, Beth, and Josh.

Dear family friend and caregiver, Aylenn Cabrera.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 19th, from 5:00-6:30 pm; rosary 6:30-7:00 pm at Resthaven Funeral Home, 606, San Patricio St., Sinton, Texas 78387
Burial (family only) will be Friday, September 20th, 10:00 am at Seaside Memorial Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Mass will be held Friday, September 20th, 12:00 pm at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 3901 Violet Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78410

The family would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the staff at Harbor Hospice in Portland, TX for their exceptional care and support. 

For those who feel so compelled, memoriam donations can be made in Leesa's name to the Jimmy V Foundation at v.org/donate.

The V Foundation ensures "100% of direct contributions support the most promising cancer research conducted by exceptional scientists from diverse backgrounds, investigating various cancer types in all stages of the cancer journey."

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.