Emma Jean Shoaf Leonard

NASHVILLE - Emma “Jean” Shoaf Leonard, age 85, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Born in Davidson County, NC on March 19, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Druid and Beatrice Shoaf. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald “Don” Richard Leonard; sisters, Patty Swicegood and Elizabeth Kiger; and brother, Gerald Shoaf. Jean was one of four girls and four boys. She graduated from Reeds High School where she played basketball. Her love of sports continued throughout her life. She married Don, also of Lexington, on May 11, 1951. Jean and Don were blessed with three boys. Their family relocated to Raleigh and then Rocky Mount with Dons job. They settled in the West Mount Community and became members of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. Jean was active in the Womans Circle and she taught childrens Sunday school. Jean worked at Rocky Mount Undergarment sewing for many years before her employment at Abbott Labs soon after they opened a plant in Rocky Mount. Jean and Don both retired from Abbott Labs where she worked in the label room. She enjoyed working in her yard with flowers and helping Don with his vegetable garden. She loved going to baseball, wrestling and football games to see her sons. At her first football game she asked a lot of questions since she had never been taught the game. Mike said by the end of the football season she was pointing out mistakes players were making and commenting that the coach called the wrong play. She and Don traveled many miles to watch all three of their sons participate in sports. Later they followed their grandchildren. Jean also made quilts for her grandchildren. Those quilts have traveled from Rocky Mount to colleges and back home. Her favorite pastime was spoiling her grandchildren. She loved to cook for them and just spend time listening to their adventures. She loved Christmas and everything about it from decorating to shopping and wrapping presents. After unwrapping presents at Jeans house, the grandchildren had everything they had picked out from the JC Penny wish book. Santa had a hard time measuring up. During retirement, Jean and her friend and neighbor, Sue Sykes, would plan a day of shopping that would end with a McRib at McDonalds. She loved McRibs and would have them frequently when they were offered. During her life, Jean collected dolls. It was her pleasure to share them with her granddaughters. There were display cases all over her home and the girls enjoyed looking at them and hearing stories about when she bought them. After having three boys to raise she enjoyed have little girls to play dolls with. When she arrived at the hospital after her first granddaughter was born, Dorothy ask her “Did I do good?” and she replied you did “perfect”. There would be four more granddaughters to follow. Jean enjoyed each one and Christmas was also doll time for them. Jean leaves behind to cherish her memory, sons, Donald R. “Rickey” Leonard, Jr. and wife, Dorothy; Terry G. Leonard and wife, Donna; and Mike N. Leonard and wife, Susan. She is also survived by grandchildren, Heather L. Bailey and husband, Thomas; Kelly L. Batts and husband, Andy; Donald “Bo” R. Leonard, III and wife, Randi; Mandy L. Mueller and husband Cameron; Ashley H. Leonard; Melissa Leonard Gay and husband, Brad; Emory Kathryn Sykes; Susannah Lee Sykes; and Thomas R. Sykes and wife, Irina; great-grandchildren, Donnie Leonard; Alexis Leonard; Jade Leonard; Joey Batts; Will Batts; Hunter Bailey; Toby Bailey; Carson Mueller; Haley Eller; Carter Gay; Levi Gay; and Nolan Sykes; and siblings, Johnny Shoaf and wife Jean; Judy Knox; June Booze; and Bobby Shoaf and wife, Geraldine. A Celebration of Jeans Life will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services with Pastor Mark Pridgen officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Cemetery in Rocky Mount. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. The family would like to thank Crystal Barber, Angie Carpenter, and Doris Lynch for their personal assistance and care. They have made Jeans life easier and happier. Crystal and Angie are employees of Able Home Health. We now consider Crystal, Angie, and Doris all part of our family. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Northside Community Church, 1660 Beaver Pond Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 4/30, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Service Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 4/30, 3:00 pm