Bernice Lee Leonard

Bernice Ryder Leonard, 87, of Lexington, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 17, 2023.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at Shiloh United Methodist with Doug Rowe officiating.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington.

Bernice was born on October 25, 1935, in Hall GA, to the late Marvin George Ryder and Addie Dale Ryder. She worked for most of her life for Coble Dairy and was an active member of Shiloh United Methodist Church. Bernice loved her church and was there any time the doors were open, being a member of the choir and being involved in different groups throughout the church. She was also known as a great cook and one who enjoyed a good Braves game. Above all, she loved being a homemaker, wife, and mother, and her family was the most important part of her life. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Coney Leonard; grandson, Nicholas Leonard; two brothers, Otis Ryder and Tommy Ryder; and two sisters, Christine Rowe and Lucille Allen.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Johnny Colin Leonard and wife Jerrie, of Linwood; two daughters, Connie Patricia Bowers and husband Charles, of Lexington, and Julie Maria Kepley and husband Mike, of Lexington; two sisters, Juanita Yates, of Thomasville, and Hazel Voncannon, of Troy; six grandchildren, Joshua Bowers, Logan Bowers and wife Hilary, Leeann Hill and husband Chet, Tori Jordan and husband Josh, Chessie Kepley, and Colbin Kepley and wife Lizzy; and twelve great-grandchildren and one on the way.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens’ Research Hospital www.stjude.org/donate or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way Lexington, NC 27292.