Mrs. Agnes Marie Jackson Leonard

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doeth safely trust her. She openeth her mouth with wisdom. She maketh herself clothing of tapestry. She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness; strength and honor are her clothing. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31 On Sunday afternoon, September 6, 1931, news traveled throughout Athens, Georgia that a baby girl had been born. Her parents, Albert and Agnes Jackson, along with a host of aunts and uncles welcomed little Agnes – who they called Marie – into this tight-knit community. Surely heaven must have applauded as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece had been created. According to Agnes, all of her aunts and uncles treated her as if she were their daughter, frequently including her in their outings for shopping, cookouts, and visiting friends. As a child she developed a love for learning often reading her way through many books of various subjects. And when she was bored, Agnes would reach for the nearest dictionary and begin reading it. After completing high school at the age of sixteen, Agnes moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she began her advance education at a small business school. The next year she continued her education at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia. There she met a handsome young gentleman, Robert Leonard, who was also matriculating at Clark. Agnes and Robert’s relationship quickly progressed from a mere friendship to that of a serious courtship. Agnes joked that he had to “work for me.” Apparently, Robert agreed - as the two were married on June 25, 1951. A short time later their home was blessed with a daughter, Yvonne DiLane, a son Randal Wayne, and several years later a third child, Robert Bryant (deceased 2016). In 1959, Agnes persuaded Robert to make the move from Atlanta, to Washington, DC noting that “opportunities would be greater for the family.” Little did Agnes foresee how great those opportunities would become. At an early age, Agnes accepted her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was baptized into the Baptist church. She faithfully attended services as a teen and throughout college. A true Bible student, she spent many hours searching and comparing scriptures. So, it was no surprise to her family, when after completing a Voice of Prophecy Bible correspondence course and sending her children to Adventists schools that she would become a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. Agnes was not a pew warmer. She faithfully loaned her talents to the First Church of Seventhday Adventists as an usher, home and school leader, assistant Sabbath school superintendent, assistant pathfinder director, community service leader, and funeral committee coordinator. In addition to her work in the church, Agnes was often recognized for her employment contributions resulting in several awards and plaques. She worked for the federal government as an accountant in four different agencies including Navy, Smithsonian, Commerce, and Treasury culminating in more than 30 years of service. At her retirement celebration, several employees – whom she had supervised - spoke highly of her fairness and willingness to help them succeed. But Agnes was not all work, she enjoyed sports – particularly football, basketball, and bowling. She also loved traveling especially cruising with her family and friends. She was an exceptional seamstress, floral designer, and southern cook. Lip-smacking collard greens, baked turkey ham, barbeque chicken, made-from-scratch cornbread, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, mouth-watering pancakes, and pineapple upside down cake were just a few of her specialties. There is so much more that could be said of Agnes. She was a friend to many - especially young people and her Botsmota Club sisters. Her children joke that she was as tough as nails, but possessed a heart of gold. Robert calls her his best friend. Her grandchildren, who always found their way to her lap even as adults, loved her attentive nature toward each one of them. According to the grandchildren and great-grands “grandma had a way of making you feel special even when you did something wrong.” But it was her great-grands who experienced her competitive side - as grandma spared no mercy when she’d beat them in games of Uno, Sorry, and Chutes and Ladders. On Wednesday morning, July 8, Agnes fell quietly asleep in Jesus. She was preceded in death by her son Robert Bryant Leonard. Agnes leaves to mourn her husband Robert of sixty-nine years; a daughter, Yvonne (Vondell), a son, Randal (Clarissa); daughter-in-law, Doreatha; grandchildren: Darien, Robert II, Alicia, Melanie (Sean), Randal II, Charmaine; one granddaughter through Yvonne’s marriage (Shondell and her children Aiden and Andrea); three great-grandchildren: Jordan, Ayana, and Kindell, and a host of extended family, church family, and numerous friends. Order of Service Tuesday, July 28, 2020 9:00 AM Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery Prayer of Comfort & Scripture ...................... Psalms 23 ............................. Elder Devroux Paige Eulogy & Committal ................................................................................ Pastor Lisa Smith Reid Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Robert and Agnes – June 25, 1951 The most treasured heirlooms are the sweet memories of family. Father, Protect my family and give them strength in you until we reunite in heaven. Family is the anchor that holds us through life’s storms. Pallbearers Robert Leonard II Ronald Smallwood Calvin Smallwood Steve Smallwood Kelvin Smallwood Michael Stewart We, the Leonard family, express our deepest and sincere appreciation for all the tokens/gifts of love, cards, calls, prayers, texts, food and unwavering support during the illness and passing our loved one. Special thanks to the nurses of A Homemade Plan (Tolu, Regina and Lucy) and of Seasons Hospice (Taren and Shannon). May God richly bless and keep each of you. God saw that you were getting tired and a cure was not to be … So, He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come with me.” With aching hearts, we watched you suffer and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not help you stay. A loving heart stopped beating, a wife, mother, grandmother and friend put to rest. God broke our hears to prove, He only takes the best! Author Unknown Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family will not gather for a repast. Professional Services Entrusted To Pope Funeral Home Forestville, Maryland 20747 Interment Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery Cheltenham, Maryland 20623 At the midnight cry we’ll be going home.

Mrs. Agnes Marie Jackson Leonard

September 6, 1931 - July 8, 2020