Sally Lebair Steele

Sally Lebair Steele passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the age of 77. As a native of Kingsport, Tennessee, it is fitting that she passed at her home mere walking distance from her childhood residence and across the street from Dobyns Bennett, where she attended high school and enjoyed many games at J. Fred Johnson Stadium. As an only child, Sally endeavored not only to make a larger family of her own but to foster lifelong friendships and relationships with people whom she loved and treated just like family. Sally will be remembered for her strong faith, fierce love, and unparalleled dedication to kith, kin, and the community at large.

Sally followed in her parents’ chosen career path as a hairstylist and beautician. She worked at Gary Baldwin’s Hairstyling on the corner of Center and Shelby Streets for many years before co-founding Lloyd’s on Shelby, which is named for her father, and which still operates as Lloyd’s Boutique and Salon on Broad Street. Even after retiring, Sally maintained a passion for styling and fashion, often continuing to serve select clientele from her own home. Indeed, Sally’s dedication was so strong that she could not remain retired and, at the age of 66, she returned to work at Lloyd’s on a part-time basis and remained until her health would no longer permit her to do so.

Those who knew Sally know that she had a deep love for the culinary arts. Sally enjoyed food but, even more so, delighted in the preparation of food for others. In her travels, Sally had the opportunity to take courses at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Paris, France. In addition, she co-founded The Happy Hostess, which was a professional catering business that, for a brief time, had a brick-and-mortar lunch restaurant on Center Steet. Even after her retirement, Sally was known to prepare holiday feasts for many clients (who were never “clients” and always “friends”) but always made sure that her family was also able to enjoy fine dining holiday meals of their own. Sally’s loved ones will forever remember the sounds and smells of her kitchen as she prepared meals for every occasion. Specifically, her children will recall her inquisitive voice as she would stare at 10 lbs. of butter and ask, “Do you think this is enough butter?” Her children knew that, no matter the answer, that question preceded a trip to the grocery store for more butter. Sally’s loved ones will also recall that, by the time the family meal was ready, Sally was exhausted and, more often than not, falling asleep at the table. She truly enjoyed making the food more than eating it.

Sally was also a deeply faithful Christian whose true dedication to Christ shone through her passion for giving back to the community. Sally religiously volunteered her time to the Kitchen of Hope. In addition to donating her time, Sally would frequently give her own money, crockery, and groceries to ensure that those less fortunate had the best meal she was capable of preparing. Sally also bestowed much of her time and attention to service through her membership in the Kingsport chapter of Altrusa International, an organization of which she was a past President. Sally exemplified Christ’s charity by living and breathing His words:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me . . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Sally loved to sing, particularly gospel music. She had a healthy, and often racy, sense of humor to accompany her infectious laugh. The warmth of Sally’s smile and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes brought joy, laughter, and light to the world for many, many people for whom the world shall be that much darker in her absence. However, her light persists in the memories of those who Sally loved so well and truly. Those of us who continue to love her endlessly will bear her torch forward. Sally will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Sally is survived by her beloved and first-born daughter, Lisa Michelle Lebair, of Asheville, North Carolina; her sons, Harry Washington Lebair, IV (Megan) of Memphis, Tennessee and Samuel Lloyd Lebair of Kingsport, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Simon Alexander Lebair of Asheville, North Carolina, Sally Lewise Lebair of Asheville, North Carolina, and Harry Washington Lebair, V of Memphis, Tennessee; her step-daughters, Jamie Steel Pruitt (Kevin) of Concord, North Carolina and Heather Steele Greenleaf (Rob) of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; and many cherished cousins.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd Milton Leininger and Floretta Oyler Leininger; her husbands, Harry Washington Lebair, III and James Michael (Mike) Steele; and her step-daughter, Christy Steele Page (Dan).

Services

Visitation/Remembrance

Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, Tennessee

Celebration of Life

Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Lloyd’s Salon and Boutique, Kingsport, Tennessee