Margaret Jan Leonard

Margaret Janette Burnette Hedden Leonard, 83, passed peacefully in the comfort of her home in Lexington, NC in the early hours of Wednesday, November 5, 2025. To all who know and love her, she was simply known as Jan.

Jan was born in beautiful hills of Bryson City, NC to Clint and Emma Green Burnette on July 3, 1942. She often shared stories of her days in the mountains of her youth that though they may not have had an abundance in those days, what they shared as a big, loving family of faith was worth more than all the wealth of this world. She always smiled when she talked about growing up in the North Carolina mountains. Along with her parents, Jan is preceded in death by her first husband, Ray Hedden, her sister Mary Lou Brown and her brothers, Dennis Burnette and Carl Burnette.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 22 years, Ira Meggs Leonard, III of Lexington, NC; her brothers, Doug Burnette and Roger Burnette both of Bryson City, NC; her sons Dale Hedden (Kim), Jeff Hedden (Sandy), her daughter, Jenni Hedden (Mike) all of Alabama; her step children; Wendy Leonard Orrell (Brian) and Matthew Leonard both of Lexington, NC; her grandchildren: Katelyn Brown (John), Parker Hedden (Colton), Jordan Dean (Heath), Jenna Walker, Heather Helton (Ray), Paige Wheat (Cody), Makayla Elders (Jacob), Weston Callahan (Sherea), all of Alabama; her step-grandchildren, Chad Orrell (Sara), Caleb Orrell (Reese), Caydence-Raine Orrell, Hannah Leonard and Tristan Leonard all of Lexington, NC; and great grandchildren: Eliana Dean, Beckham Helton, Graham Helton, Everly Wheat, Brynlee Elders, Sloane Elders, Beaux Callahan, Brock Callahan all of Alabama; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins whom she cherished and shared many fond memories.

Jan was of the Baptist faith and current member of Reeds Baptist Church. Her faith was of utmost importance to her in her daily walk and comforted her through the various health challenges she faced over her lifetime.

Jan possessed an incredibly artist mind. The walls of her home are filled with her beautiful paintings of flowers and landscapes. Her true passion was in quilting where she spent endless hours creating stunning handmade quilts. She belonged to many quilting bees in the various places she lived and especially loved creating baby quilts to share with local shelters for women with young children.

Jan was an amazing southern cook and was known for baking sweets to share with friends, neighbors, and church gatherings. She was forever finding a new recipe to try and has loads of cookbooks that she enjoyed rummaging through to share with family. Jan loved to garden both flowers and food. She could pressure can or freeze about any fruit or vegetable put before her. It was a testament to her childhood days when canning and preserving were a necessity. Fortunately for those she loved, she generously shared those canned goodies regularly.

Jan was meticulous about her appearance and despite failing health, she truly did not look her 83 years of age. She had earrings, shoes, and handbags to match every ensemble and would not be caught going out in public without being properly put together. She loved to shop and could find a deal in the most unexpected places. She carefully cultivated the talent of sniffing out a Goodwill Stores within a hundred-mile radius anywhere she traveled where she would inevitably find yet another treasure.

Jan’s wishes were to be buried in Alabama where a formal visitation and burial will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Those services will be managed by Berryhill Funeral Home at 2305 Memorial Parkway, NW, Huntsville, Alabama. The family is also being served locally by Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington, NC where Jan has lived for the last three years.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Lexington, NC in a few weeks at Reeds Baptist Church. Details to follow in the days ahead.

A special thanks extended to Lexington Dialysis Center for the love and care they have shown to Jan over the last seventeen months. Additionally, the family wishes to extend gratitude to Trellis Supportive Care of Winston Salem for the invaluable support through both Palliative and Hospice Care. Lastly, a special recognition to caregiver Deanna Johnson for the many hours singing old southern gospel songs with Jan on the back porch over the last few months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may direct to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC or Reeds Baptist Church, 180 Reeds Baptist Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295.