Mildred Louise Leonard

Mildred Louise Carey Leonard transitioned from labor to reward on April 4, 2018 at her home.

Born July 11, 1941 to the late Eddie G. and Ethel Hendrix Carey in Gallatin, Tennessee.  Millie graduated Union High School where she was an outstanding basketball player.  She even played against well known notable Wilma Rudolph.  As an adult, she moved to Knoxville and married Joe Leonard and to this union two beautiful daughters were born.  Millie was a devoted and loving mother who cherished time with her family.  She worked from home as a hairdresser until her girls were of age to attend school.

Mildred was employed at Jim Robbins Seatbelt Company, Standard Knitting Mill and Knox County’s Library and Sheriff’s Department, from where she retired. Some would say she worked as an Evangelist or even a Minister from all the lives she touched.  We could say she had her own ministry; praying with the inmates at the jail, feeding the homeless under the bridge even visiting the seniors at nursing homes all while spreading her love of God! Mildred loved the Lord and enjoyed church as she was a faithful member of Foster Chapel Baptist Church.  Her attendance dwindled due to her decline in health, but her faith never wavered.  She will be fondly remembered for her many acts of love and kindness shown to her family, friends and neighbors who received her beautiful flowers, cooked meals or just an encouraging word on any given day.

Preceded in death by her husband, Joe Leonard; parents; brothers: William Edward Carey, Charles Allen (Herticine) Carey, Floyd Carey and S. Reese Carey; sisters: Margaret Carey, Mary Alice Patton, Lucille Carey and Annie Laura Carey.

Left to cherish her precious memory: loving older daughter and caregiver, Andrea Leonard; loving younger daughter, Kendra (Michael) Shadden; grandchildren: Orlando Blair, Sr., Kierra and Cameron Blakely, Ke’Andra Lundy and Keilyn Smith, who unselfishly assisted in their Granny’s care; great grandchildren: Makiah, Orlando, Jr. and Oriana Blair; brother-in-law, Herman Leonard; sisters-in-law, Sara Hensley, Rosemond Leonard, both who devoted time to Mildred, and Virginia Fletcher; several nieces, nephews and friends to include devoted friends: Vivian Moore, Charlotte Brabson, Sheila Hensley, Mary Horton, Ida Mae Dobson, Barbara Malone and the Wilder Place neighborhood.  

Saturday, April 14, 2018, the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 pm, with a homegoing celebration to follow at Foster Chapel Baptist Church, 2101 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37914.  Reverend Joseph Tolbert officiating.  Interment will follow at Berry Highland South Cemetery where a white dove release will conclude the service.  Flowers may be delivered to the church the morning of the service.  Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283 or www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com

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