Joe Leonard

Joe Glenn Leonard, 83, of Hoover Road, died Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at his home The funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 1, 2011, at Center United Methodist Church, where he was a member, with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Pillsbury officiating. Burial will follow in Center United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2010 at the funeral home. Mr. Leonard was born April 10, 1927, in Davidson County, to Homer and Nealie Bates Leonard. Joe served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was the 13th child of 15 children. Mr. Leonard was retired co-owner of Leonard Brother’s Motors. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Joe Leonard; brothers, Lee Leonard, Coy Leonard, John Leonard, Clarence Leonard, Blake Leonard, Homer Ray Leonard, Tommy Leonard and Robert Leonard; sisters, Sadie Leonard, Mary Leonard and Edna Twyne; and in-laws, Odell and Hattie Koontz. Surviving are his caring and loving wife of 61 years, Nell Koontz Leonard of the home; daughter, Sherry Thrift and husband, Jack, of Lexington; granddaughter, Bridget Thrift of Charlotte and finace’, Tony Quinn of Raphoe, Ireland; sisters, Alta Merritt of Welcome and Naomi Allgood of Winston-Salem; a brother, J.W. Leonard and wife, Libby, of Welcome; and lots of nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Center United Methodist Church Christian Fellowship Center, P.O. Box 179 Welcome, NC 27374; or a charity of the donor’s choice.