Howard Hardy Leonard

Howard Hardy Leonard, born on July 26, 1934, died in an automobile accident on Saturday, March 21, 2015. He was born in Franklin County to the late Willie Howard Leonard and Wilma Gupton Leonard. He was predeceased in death by his brother, Robert Perry Leonard (Doris). Howard attended Benvenue High School and later served in the United States Army. He worked for the Imperial Tobacco Company for 20 years. His specialty was Weights and Measures. He later earned his NC Electrical License and worked as an electrical contractor until he retired. Howard was truly a man's man. When he was young, he enjoyed driving and participating on the drag racing circuit. He enjoyed hunting locally and beginning in the early 70s he traveled to Canada on yearly hunting expeditions. Like many sportsmen, Howard loved dogs, especially Aierdale Terriers. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Rosa Moore Leonard; his sister, Linda Leonard Slater and her husband, Sonny of Rocky Mount, NC; his daughters, Joyce Leonard Swartz of Rocky Mount, NC and Mary Ellen Leonard of Nashville, NC; his sons, Howard H. Leonard, II and his wife, Jan of Rocky Mount, NC; Robert C. Leonard and his wife, Cynthia of Nashville, NC; Charles Curtis Davis, Jr. and his wife, Tammy of Statesville, NC and G. Matheson Davis of New Bern, NC. Also surviving are his grandsons, Donald E. Swartz, Jr. of Seattle, WA; Robert C. Leonard, II of Nashville, TN; Matheson Mark Davis of Philadelphia, PA; Scott M. Swartz of Rocky Mount, NC and Sam Davis of Kennesaw, GA and his granddaughters, Jade Nicole Leonard of Greenville, NC; Laura Davis of Kennesaw, GA, Lindsay Jo Leonard of Nashville, NC, Katie Ellen Leonard of Rocky Mount, NC and Rhonda Barker of Troutman, NC. Howard is also survived by nieces, Susan S. Tompkins and her husband, Tom of Wilmington, NC and Robin L. Griffin and her husband, Doug of Rocky Mount, NC In addition, Howard had great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and adored. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. A burial will be held following the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Memorial contributions may be made to Nash-Edgecombe Humane Society, P.O. Box 1783, Rocky Mount, NC; The Church of the Good Shepherd Church Choir, 231 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27802 or to Animal Cracker Rescue, Post Office Box 8860, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.. Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share your 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 --> | Tuesday 3/24, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Service Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Wednesday 3/25, 11:00 am Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804