Frances Leonard

Frances Louise Underwood Leonard, 87, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, surrounded by the love of her family, on September 6, 2011. Prior to her declining health, her home was at Ashlan Village in Lyman, SC. Born in Campobello, SC on September 13, 1923, she was the daughter of the late John Dewey and Easter Bryant Underwood. She was married to Otis James Leonard for 62 years until his death in 2007. Also preceding her in death were a brother, John D. Underwood and a sister, Fay McCall. Before moving to Venezuela with her husband and daughter in early 1956, she worked for J.P. Stevens Co. in Taylors, SC. She spent 21 years in Venezuela as a homemaker, while her husband was employed with Exxon Mobil. Upon returning to the U.S., they retired to Hendersonville, NC where they spent many happy years enjoying their beautiful home and many friends. As a member of Balfour United Methodist Church, she enjoyed singing in the choir and serving her church in many ways. Surviving is a daughter and her husband, Linda and Gene Collins, grandsons Jason Eugene Collins and wife Tara, and Andrew James Collins and wife Maggie. The newest joy in her heart was her great grandson, Cooper Eugene, the son of Jason and Tara Collins born on July 7, 2011. Frances was a dear sweet woman who loved her family and lived to please all who knew her. She will be remembered for being an amazing cook who enjoyed preparing her delicious meals in the way that she lived her life, with selfless love and devotion. Her loving nature will be missed by family and friends. Her family would like to thank her loving caregiver, Dana Hallman of At Home Care of the Upstate and the many caring people at VistaCare Hospice for the wonderful care she was given as she was losing her battle with cancer. Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 10 at 4:00pm in the chapel at The Wood Mortuary in Greer, with visitation prior to the service at 2:15-3:45pm. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to VisaCare Hospice, 15 Brendan Way, Suite 100, Greenville, SC 29615, or Balfour United Methodist Church, 2567 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28791. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com

Frances Leonard

September 13, 1923 - September 6, 2011