Frances Benfield Leonard

FRANCES BENFIELD LEONARD - Mary Frances Benfield Leonard, age 86, longtime resident of Kings Mountain, NC passed away with family by her side after a brief illness on Wednesday, October 1, 2013, two days before her 87th birthday. Frances was born in Statesville, NC to the late Robert and Gladys Benfield and also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Robert Blackwell "Black" Leonard; her brother, John Benfield, and son-in-law Ron Bagwell. Frances married and moved to Lillington, NC to raise her family and pursue a career. There she was an active member of Lillington Baptist Church. A devoted and supporting wife and mother, Frances loved to be surrounded by her children. A dedicated member of First Baptist Church, Kings Mountain, NC for over 50 years, Frances enjoyed serving others through various church ministries. Active in her community, she was a longtime member of the Kings Mountain Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and Open Gate Garden Club. Frances demonstrated her generosity to children in need through her employment with Cleveland County Schools. Frances loved music and was a self-taught pianist. She often played the piano for church and community organizations. She made the world more beautiful through her love of crafts including quilting, crochet, and ceramics. Her hospitality was well known and she loved to cook for family and friends who enjoyed her corn bread, pound cakes, and buttermilk biscuits. Our lives are richer for having known her and we will miss her dearly.

SURVIVORS: Beattie Leonard and wife Linda, Asheboro, NC Terry Leonard and wife Chris, Dallas, NC Camille Bagwell, Kings Mtn. NC "Ma" was particularly proud of her 6 grandchildren: Beattie Leonard and wife Betsy, Kevin Leonard, Denver, CO; Windy Ledford and husband Mike, Claire "CJ" Torrence and husband Stephen, Kings Mtn. NC John Leonard, Charlotte, NC and Brad Leonard, Charleston, SC. 6 Great Grandchildren Sister: Bobbie Ann Benfield Gregory and husband Jim, Columbia, SC

MEMORIAL SERVICE: First Baptist Church, Thursday, October 3, 2013 3:00 P.M. Dr. John Sloan, officiating.

VISITATION: Thursday, October 3, 2013 immediately following the service in the Stained Glass Room at the Church.

INTERMENT: Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

MEMORIALS: First Baptist Church, Building Fund, 605 W. King Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC