Lea Middleton Davis Schultz, 72, Berea, received her Heavenly Reward on September 6, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. She had been News Editor for the Richmond Register and Berea Citizen in the 1980s and 1990s, and later served as an administrative assistant at both the First Christian Church in Berea and the Berea United Methodist Church.
Born November 20, 1952, in Louisville to working-class parents, Lea graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1970 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Eastern Kentucky University in 1974. That year, she started dating Tom, a Vietnam veteran who could only be tamed by a real Southern Woman’s love. They married on May 14, 1977, and welcomed two children, Thomas and Andrew, in 1981 and 1984.
As a journalist, Lea mentored a plethora of up-and-coming reporters, worked long hours, and covered multiple beats including local government, crime, and human interests. Her weekly column “Nuggets” was a source of great entertainment to her readership, often detailing local history and personal family events. Lea won multiple awards for feature investigative reporting. She told truth to power and was not afraid of doing so.
In addition to her professional achievements, Lea was a seasonal supporter of basketball, soccer, baseball, and golf, depending on which sport her children were playing. She rewarded her children’s educational pursuits and instilled a love of learning in them. She believed in leadership through service and sacrifice for the greater good.
Lea was a constant presence in the affairs of the Berea United Methodist Church, being three times Chair of the Administrative Council for church governance. She was a member there for nearly fifty years and heavily promoted the Church’s Building Fund. She loved God and possessed the self-assurance that only comes with faith, education, love, and kindness.
Lea is preceded in death by her parents, Harlan Lee Davis, Jr., and Mildred Jean Middleton Davis, of Louisville, KY. She is survived by her husband Tom; son and daughter-in-law Thomas and April Schultz of Berea; son Andrew “A.J.” Schultz of Minot, ND; grandchildren Alex Combs and Kate Combs; and an uncountable number of friends and quasi-adopted children who lovingly referred to her as “Mama Schultz.” We love you, Mom, and we miss you.
Lea has been cremated per her wishes. Berea United Methodist Church will host a Visitation on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a memorial service at 7 p.m., the Rev. Dr. Timo Karnoven, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Lea’s name to the Berea United Methodist Church Building Fund. Condolences for the family may be left at www.lakesfuneralhome.com
