Lessia Mae (Fordham) Montgomery was born on December 2, 1943 in Eastman Georgia to the parentage of the late Mary Fordham Smith and Robert Brown.

Aunt Lessia, as she was lovingly called by most, was always available to be a listening ear. She spent a lot of days giving advice, making a bad day better for others and just being a good friend. More than anything she enjoyed her family. She was a homemaker and a skilled cook. She liked to laugh, joke and was the type of person that always could see the good in others (especially her grandchildren, whom she adored).

She was preceded in death by five sisters; Sallie L. Fordham Colley, Elizabeth Franklin, Mildred Fordham, Virginia Fordham, Retha Harris; five brothers Clemmie C. Franklin, John Paul Blangor, Willie Bob Fordham, Jackie Fordham, and Jerry Fordham; nephew Grady Franklin.
She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: three children; Kathy Thomas of Steubenville Ohio, Clifford (Faith) Montgomery of Steubenville, Ohio, and Lawrence (Lisa) Montgomery of Gardner, Kansas; two brothers Moses Fordham of Painesville, Ohio, and Joseph Fordham of Eastman, Georgia; sister Ophelia Hamilton; sister in law Bessie Blangor of Steubenville, Ohio and Helen Patterson of South Carolina; nephew Leroy Fordham of Steubenville, Ohio; grandchildren Kayla and Joseph Thomas, Karrington, Cian, Caden and Camille Montgomery, Thashion Perryman, and Ellayziah Montgomery; three great-grandchildren Kaylee, Dierra, and Kerian; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and friends.