Photo of Leon D. StancliffLeon D. Stancliff, 80, gospel preacher, teacher, author and Christian friend, passed away at his Murfreesboro, Tenn., home Tuesday, 10 April, 2007. He was a resident of Rutherford County, Tenn., for 45 years.

Brother Stancliff graduated 1953 from David Lipscomb College with a B.S. degree in speech and Bible followed by an M.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and Ed. S. from Peabody College. He taught nine years in public schools before becoming a physical science professor at MTSU where he taught for 28 years. He retired in 1988 after 37 years of teaching.

Brother Stancliff preached for various churches of Christ in Middle Tennessee, including Pomona and Tennessee City congregations in Dickson County. In Rutherford County he preached for Dilton, Sharpesville, Antioch, Lascassas, Fosterville, and New Zion congregations. He also worked with Vine in Wilson County, and Beech Grove in Coffee County. Brother Stancliff did preacher training at the East Main church in Murfreesboro for 17 years. He wrote 30 books, including commentaries covering each book of the Bible.

He was the son of the late Bertha and L.D. Stancliff. He is survived by brothers Fred and Frank, and a sister, Melva Stancliff. (Another brother, Richard, is deceased.) He and his wife Marie had three sons and a daughter. There were 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

His funeral was Friday, 13 April 2007, at Jennings and Ayers funeral home, and the burial was at Evergreen Cemetery. Johnny Brown, James Lively, Mike Steakley, and Richard Gibbs officiated.

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