Paul M. Leonard, 87, of Hampton, went home to be with the Lord, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at Ivy Hall Nursing Home following an extended illness. He was a son of the late Bernie and Lula Morton Leonard and was born in Carter County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Sams Leonard, on September 14, 2014; a brother, Robert Leonard; and an infant son, Charles Leonard.
Mr. Leonard was retired from NARC. He was a member of Union Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and former chairman of deacons. He loved to work outside and particularly enjoyed mowing and working in his garden.
Those left to cherish his memory include three sons, Wayne Leonard and his wife, Joann, Chesnee, S.C., Gary Leonard and his wife, Vickie, Elizabethton, and Dennis Leonard and his wife, Shirley, Hampton; five grandchildren, Sonya Leonard, Elizabethton, Kevin Leonard, Johnson City, Jimmy Leonard and his wife, Amy, Spartanburg, S.C., Elaine Bridges and her husband, Chad, Inman, S.C., and Scotty Leonard and his wife, Alicia, Mars Hill, N.C.; and four great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mr. Leonard will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, October 29, in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Dr. Danny Bright officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at the home of his son, Gary, 167 Blue Springs Road, Elizabethton, at other times. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, October 30, at the Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Hampton. Active pallbearers will be James Norris, Sam Grindstaff, Randy Lewis, Kevin Leonard, Scotty Leonard and Jimmy Leonard. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Union Baptist Church, Terry Leonard and Kenneth Leonard. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet the family at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Friday to go in procession to the cemetery. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Hale Ministries, C/O Watauga Baptist Association, 3871 Highway 19E, Elizabethton TN 37643. The family would like to express a warm and heartfelt thank you to the staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home and especially to his nurse and caregiver, Savannah Whitehead, for all the love and care shown to Mr. Leonard and to the family. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Leonard family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.