Nell Leonard's Obituary
Nell Leonard passed away at her home on the evening of Monday, March 14, 2016, surrounded by her family and loving husband Walter. Nell, known to many as Maw, was 95 years old.
Nell was born in 1921 to Earl and Ada Stokes in Epps, Louisiana. She was the third youngest of nine children.
Nell met her husband Walter, a Navy officer, while working at a payroll office for the military branch during World War II. They married in 1945 and moved to North Ridgeville in 1950. There they made their home and raised their four children.
Nell was a loving mother of 4, grandmother of 16, great grandmother of 17 and great-great grandmother of 5, with 2 more great-great grandchildren on the way. She was the center of her family. To her, each of her loved ones were unique, and she loved them dearly and celebrated them all for their uniqueness. She taught family how to love without condition, respect without agreement and to always leave the door open. They loved Nell for her gentleness, her strength, and her always present sense of humor.
Nell was also very social. She enjoyed her friends, and she was an active member of Christian Unity Church. In addition, she and Walter led services at the Avon Oaks Nursing Home for 25 years.
Nell is survived by her husband Walter Leonard; sons Glenn (Wygonda) Leonard of FL, Steven (Michelle) Leonard of Elyria and Michael (Nancy) Leonard of North Ridgeville; son-in-law Jim Kilby; 16 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; sister Mildred Crabtree; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Jane Kilby; parents Earl and Ada (nee Goynes) Stokes; brothers Bob, Herman, Jack and Louie Stokes; sisters Norma Lee Foster, Willie Cunningham and Jadie Smith.
Family will receive friends in the Bogner Family Funeral Home on Friday from 4-7 p.m., where Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon.
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