Born February 1,1947 to the parents Johnnie and Mae Ola Cunningham in Thornton,Texas. Early in life Leola parents moved their family to Dallas where she raised and attended school. Her parents joined People Baptist Missionary Baptist Church, is when she gave her life to Christ.  Leola was a long time employee at Texas Instruments she also has one daughter Sherita Cunningham, later in life she met and married John Latimer who proceeded her in death and to this union no kids were born.

Leola met Jarvis E. Smith St. and had two children Keisha Lajuane Latimer and Brandon Chabronze Latimer. Leola later began working as a Health Care And at Cliff Towers Nursing home until she retired to be a stay at home mom.  Leola was proud and dutiful grandmother to ten grandchildren,thirteen great-grandchildren.

Preceeding her in death are her parents Johnnie and Mae Ola Cunningham,sister Betty Cunningham and Bonny Justice,two brothers  Patrick Cunningham and Johnnie Cunningham and one nephew Kevin Cunningham.

She leaves to cherish her memory sister Anita Miller and Mae Emma Washington,brothers Walter, James,Author and Gonna Cunningham, and a host of nieces and nephews and daughter in law KeDra Latimer.