Leola (Reed) Capers was born the second child of four to Anderson and Elnora Reed on February 1, 1950, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a child, Leola faithfully attended Sunday school each week at Antioch Baptist Church. In high school, she was a proud member of the bowling team.

After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School a year ahead of her class, she attended Cuyahoga Community College. In 1969, she married her sweetheart, Darrel Capers. From this union, three children were born: Darrel Jr., Loreal, and LeAndra. Although Leola and Darrel later divorced, they remained close friends until his passing in 2025.

Leola held several jobs throughout her life, but she found her true calling at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library System as a Library Assistant. She dedicated 31 years of service and was promoted to Head of the Circulation Desk at the Coventry branch before retiring in 2011. Throughout retirement, Leola continued to enjoy one of her favorite pastimes, bowling, joining several leagues. She also loved spending time solving puzzles, reading books, traveling, and watching good movies. Leola also served as an alternate juror on a high-profile murder case, an experience that especially interested her because of her love for true crime stories. Leola joined several saving and social clubs, and she enjoyed saving for trips and spending time with the other members. She volunteered at a food pantry for several years, serving her community, but one of her greatest joys was spending time with her family. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly, always finding an opportunity for gathering together. Leola loved discussing movies with her son Darrel, and she could always be found out shopping with her girls, LeAndra and Loreal, but no day was complete without at least one phone call with her sister Gladys. Just recently, Leola began a new hobby of creating videos for her YouTube channel (@ThisIsMySeniorLiving). This brought her immense joy and excitement as she shared her unique perspective and experiences.

Leola was preceded in death by her parents, Anderson and Elnora Reed; brother, Anderson Reed Jr.; nephew, Ramsey Fountain; and her best friend, Darrel Capers Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Darrel Capers Jr., Loreal Jones (LaRon), and LeAndra Capers; grandsons, Dominick Huggins, DeAndre Capers, Landon Allen, and Leighton Jones; great-grandchildren, Dayton and Julian Huggins; sister, Gladys Reed; brother, Glen Reed; niece, Valerie Holley; nephews, Damon, Amir, and Jarius Reed; and in-laws Charles, Frieda, and Mayo Capers. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, friends, and her sweet pup Shepherd.