Leland Edward Leonard

Leland E. Leonard, 84, of 1305 Boiling Springs Road, died January 28, 2011 at National Health Care. He was the widower of Lucille Grubbs Leonard. They were married for 50 years before her death on February 17, 1998. A native of Spartanburg county, he was a son of the late Thomas Newport and Hattie Howard Leonard. He was the sole surviving member of his family which included nine brothers, Paul, Cecil, Carol, Bruce, Roy, Bill, Tom, Joe and Broadus Leonard and four sisters, Ellen Waters, Neil Carter, Mary Vaughn and Fannie Byars. He leaves to cherish his memory, daughter, Charlotte Hastings and son-in-law, Sam Hastings, whom he thought of as his own son; grandchildren, Todd Hastings, wife, Marian of Simpsonville, Chad Hastings, wife, Kim of Marion, Corey and Chelsea Hastings of Simpsonville and Anna Gail Hastings of Pocheon, South Korea; and great-grandchildren, Thomas, Winn, Abigail and Timothy Hastings. Mr. Leonard was a faithful member of Pelham First Baptist Church before his activities were limited by Alzheimer’s disease. He served as deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher and many other positions, always eager to serve the Lord. He enjoyed working with the young people in the church and the Pelham community. He retired from the textile industry, having worked for J.P. Stevens, Victor Plant and H & S Textile, Inc. He proudly served his country in World War II as a Seabee in the United States Navy. He spoke proudly of his tour in the Navy, counted his service as an honorable opportunity to serve his country. He enjoyed golf and enjoyed playing with his grandsons. He also played baseball with the Victor Mill Textile Team and the Pelham Community Team. He loved his family and friends with all his heart, but he loved his Lord most of all. By his life, he showed us how to be faithful to the Lord and what it is like to be a child of God. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at National Health Care, who became Mr. Leonard’s and his family’s extended family; also for the Staff at Solaris Hospice who added additional support. His kind words, his strong arms to lean on and his great wisdom will be greatly missed by his entire family. It is said a person’s life preaches his funeral, in his case, this is so true. Our family was blessed to have him in our lives. He will never be forgotten. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Pelham First Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Gary Rogers, Rev. Ansel Norris and Rev. Chad Hastings. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The family is at the home of the daughter, Charlotte Hastings. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5000, Greenville, SC 29601. Online condolences may be made a www.thewoodmortuary.com

Leland Edward Leonard

December 29, 1926 - January 28, 2011