Columbia City Councilwoman Leona Plaugh passes away after 2-year battle with cancer

Columbia City District 4 Councilwoman Leona Plaugh passed away Wednesday, September 28th after a 2-year battle with cancer. Plaugh was surrounded by her family at their home in Columbia.

Plaugh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in right leg called extra-skeletal soft tissue sarcoma. Following 15 months of exhaustive treatment in Houston, she made the tough decision to have her right leg amputated in October 2015. After the procedure, doctors declared her cancer-free.
However, the cancer returned less than a year later.

Rather than go through additional surgery, Plaugh entered into the qualification process for clinical trails for a new form of sarcoma treatment at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Due to the scope of the cancer, doctors decided against the treatment and she began hospice care in mid-July.

Her husband of 45 years Joe Plaugh issued the following statement:

“Leona has always been a fighter. When she was diagnosed, we knew this was going to be the biggest challenge of our lives. Throughout the fight, she remained focused on her family, the Lord and her service to Columbia.

“Columbia is home and that’s something she never forgot. She loved our great city and I’m grateful for all the support she has received over the years in this battle.

“God has a plan for all of us and this was His plan for Leona. I ask everyone to keep us in your prayers and please carry on her commitment to Columbia.”

Leona Plaugh

• A life-long resident of Columbia, Leona began her service to Columbia as a planner in Columbia’s CommunityDevelopment Office. She was promoted to Director and then to Assistant City Manager and later became City Manager in 2001.
• She left city government in 2003 and established two successful small businesses.
• In 2010, she returned to serve city government by representing District 4 on City Council.
• Her son Allen Plaugh and his wife Ashley live in Atlanta with their daughter Emma Rose