Leah Avery Graetz

Leah Avery Graetz, 17, of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, passed from this life on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. Leah was born November 14, 2008, in Batesville, Arkansas to Eric Jay and Michelle (Vitiello Melo) Graetz.

Leah always had a caring heart for her farm animals, family, and her friends. She was the one person who first shed a tear if anyone was sad. She was compassionate and often volunteered her own comfort to help others because she didn’t like seeing anyone being sad. Leah had a giving heart filled with light where she often shared her brightness with others who needed uplifting.

She had a strong work ethic and landed her first job at Vito’s Asian restaurant in Horseshoe Bend at the age of 14. She saved and paid for her very first car and continued to work at Double D’s diner at the same location in Horseshoe Bend. She started a business of making an assortment of her own hand made jewelry and sold them at farmers markets and local flea markets. She was scheduled for the fall ‘26 enrollment at University of Arkansas Community College in Batesville for cosmetology. She said she chose that profession because she wanted to make other people feel beautiful.

She loved having her early morning coffee with her dad. Leah enjoyed walking the trails around the family farm and casting a few lures for a meal of fish. If you listened, you usually could catch her singing as she walked the farm.

Even though Leah was shy, she had a special voice for singing and would often perform at the Franklin Baptist Church. She was deeply loved by her parents, sister Lindsay, and many friends. Leah touched the local community in many ways that so many will never forget. The world was just not ready for such a kind soul full of light. God decided he needed her for his purpose.

Leah is survived by her parents Michelle and Eric, younger sister Lindsay Caroline, three grandparents Delavigne Vitiello and Vitalina Melo from Dominican Republic, Theresa Graetz from Pound Wisconsin. Aunts Marlene Vitiello from Puebla Mexico and Kelly Rios Vitiello from Merritt Island Florida, uncles Jeffrey Graetz (Kathryn Graetz) and Allen Graetz (Victoria Graetz) many cousins Justus Graetz (Sheryl Graetz), Jadon Graetz (Hannah Graetz), Jon Graetz (Alisha Graetz), Ethan Graetz, Carla Dean, Lydia Brashear, Rebecca Price, Anna Farias, Marissa Bonilla, Natalia Bonilla, Joseph Kostreva, Sarah Cannon, Laura Graetz, and countless friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday May 27, 2026 at Barker Funeral home in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. Jeff Hawkins, Eric Graetz, and Gail Hawkins officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. until time of service on Wednesday May 27, 2026 at Barker Funeral Home. Interment will follow services at the Evening Shadows Memorial Park in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Eric Graetz, Uriah Mead, Justus Graetz, Zach Hamilton, Delavigne Vitiello, and Robert Reeves.

Honorary pallbearers: Kent Andrews, David DelVecchio, Brian Thomas, and Jadon Graetz.

in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Leah Avery Graetz Foundation for Young Girls at the Huntington Former Cadence Bank in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, account under Leah Graetz.

Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.