Billie Lea Leonard Ava, MO

Billie Lea Leonard, 88 years, passed to heaven on March 29, 2012 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, MO.

Billie was born December 27, 1923 in Tonkawa, OK to Charles Batie and Myrtle Zada (Alexander) Gann.

On September 20, 1944 Billie and Willie Lee Leonard were united in marriage in Arnett, OK and to this union six children were born.

Billie was retired from working for 38 years at Rawlings Sporting Goods in Ava, MO. Billie was a Christian and a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Ava.

She enjoyed gardening, tending flowers, dancing and cooking. Billie loved people and never knew a stranger. She loved going to the local cafe to visit with her fellow friends in Ava.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Willie Lee Leonard, three brothers, Ralph,O.B. and Eugene Gann, two sisters, Blanche Knox and Leona Gann.

Billie is survived by six children, Bill Leonard & wife, Carolyn, Seymour, MO, Bob Leonard & Mary Ann, Ava, MO, Tommy Gene Leonard & wife, Terri, Seymour, MO, John Steven Leonard & wife, Linda, Conway, MO, Kathy Victor & husband, Reggie, St. Louis, MO and Mary Ann Hamilton & husband, Kevin, Alton, IL, 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren,three sisters, Hazel Brown, Marlow, OK, Zada Poage and Betty Lucas both of Enid, OK, one brother, Sam Gann, Oklahoma City, OK and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services for Billie will be Friday, April 6, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial of cremains in the Ava Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Keith Adamson. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.