LOUISBURG--Addilene Edwards Leonard, age 98, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2020 due to cancer. She was born on October 7, 1921 as the 6th of nine children to Dalma and Bessie Edwards of Spring Hope, NC. On April 6, 1947 she married Q. Shelby Leonard, who was a great balance for her creative flair. He preceded her in death in 1988. They operated a decorator business in Louisburg for many years.

Her means of Christian service was through her sewing machine. She traveled and mailed packages far and wide with everything from curtains to dresses to slipcovers to missions that could use her wares. Even into her nineties, she could design and sew complicated slipcovers. She loved her extended family and her church friends.

Addilene is survived by her three children and their spouses: Connie and Jim Markham, Mike and Patricia Leonard, and Kim Caudill. She is survived by grandchildren and their spouses Jim and Kelly Markham, Taylor Cottrell, John Leonard, Mike and Karen Markham, Shelby and David Jones, Lara and Bryan Kincade, and 12 great-grandchildren. Though she was the last surviving sibling in her large family, she is survived by two sisters-in-law, EllaJean Edwards and Barbara Perdue. Many nieces and nephews completed her large much loved family.

The funeral service is on January 18 at 11:00 AM at Maple Springs Baptist Church. Family can be greeted in between the service and the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NC Baptist Children's Homes via the Maple Springs church office.

The family especially appreciates the help of Diana Hernandez and Rosa Sixto for home care in the last year during recuperation from a fall.

Special thanks to Bunn Medical Clinic in recent years to help her understand health issues, to Margate H&R, to Caldwell Hospice, and to Maple Springs friends for so many kindnesses.

Arrangements are being handled by Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Services, 804 N. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, NC 27549. Online condolences may be made to www.lancasterfcs.com.

Paid Obituary