Obituaries
Earlie L. Leonard
The home-going celebration of Rev. Earlie L. Leonard was held Saturday, May 14, 2022, at New Home Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Christopher Todd officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Reverend Earlie Lee Leonard was born June 21, 1931, in the Hissop community, Coosa County. He passed away May 8, 2022. He was a dedicated follower of Christ, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and passionate community leader.
Leonard attended Hissop School and Coosa County Training School. He was an accomplished Army veteran, receiving the Combat Infantry, Korean Service and National Defense medals.
After being called into the ministry, he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1981 and Bachelor of Theology in 1982 from Birmingham Baptist Bible College.
On December 19, 1954, he married the love of his life, Lillian Mitchell. This union blessed the couple with four children, Irvin, DeJarvis, Vanessa, and Melissa. He led his family toward Christ and left a legacy of serving Jesus for his 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and faithfully served Him to the day he died, preaching his last sermon the morning of his passing. While living in Birmingham, he attended St. John Baptist Church, but maintained his membership at The New Home Missionary Baptist Church in Coosa County. He was a quartet singer, church clerk and crusader chief. He also served as the superintendent of Sunday school for 12 years and a deacon for 14 years.
Rev. Leonard was called by God to preach and minister God’s Word. After being licensed January 20, 1974, and ordained on July 21, 1974, he pastored Mt. Sinai-West. He was also called to pastor Mount Nebo Baptist Church (Equality) in 1974 and Mount Zion Baptist Church (Central) in 1975, serving until his passing.
In addition to his devoted service as a pastor, he served continually as a member of the Morning Star District. He was graced with the title of Moderator Emeritus after completing 24 years of service. His devotion to the gospel went beyond his community to his region, serving as the chairperson of the Moderator’s Department for the Northeast District State Convention for over 20 years. He consistently attended conventions propelling the gospel across the United States for almost 50 years.
Rev. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Franklin and Claude Mariah Leonard; his siblings, Plesby Leonard, David Leonard, Charles Leonard, Vallie (Samuel) Goggans; a brother in-law, Edward Lauderdale; and two great-grandchildren, Niya and Madison Hogan.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 67 years, Lillian Leonard; four children, Irvin (Wanda), DeJarvis (Karen), Vanessa, and Melissa (Michael); siblings, Augusta Lauderdale, John L. Leonard, Lee Dorothy (Holman) Edmond, and Loretta (Jack) Marbury; one sister-in-law, Rebecca Leonard; seven grandchildren, Marlon, Wanishea (Fred), Ivory (Russell), Brittany (Nick), DeJarvis II (Scotti Michele), Ashley, and Aliyah; and energetic great-grandchildren, Chloe, Peyton, Zane, Brayleigh, Ryann, DeJarvis III, and Zaya, to build on his legacy; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.
Final arrangements were entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Services of Alexander City.