Wilma Ray Judy Leonard passed away on April 13 in Marietta, Georgia. If you knew Wilma, she

likely made an impression. She was clever and quick-witted, if a little goofy. She was a wife to

Don Leonard and the mother of four girls (Judy, Jill, Amy, and Kristin). Wilma was a "GaGa",

"Gammy", and "Ga" to her seven grandsons (Chris Patrick, Drew Patrick, Evan Patrick, Jordan

Sassard, Justin Sassard, Holden Saxon and Ethan Saxon. After four daughters and seven

grandsons, she then had four great granddaughters (Judy Patrick, Savanah Patrick, Claire

Patrick and Nora Patrick.) Wilma was the middle child with an older brother (Glen Judy), older

sister (Doris Jean Hale) and two beloved younger brothers (James Judy and Larry Judy). She

was proud of her brothers and they spoke of what a wonderful sister was to them. As an aunt,

she was funny and warm to her nieces and nephews.

She was an educator and had a way with the students and families she worked with. While she

was soft-spoken, she could handle some of the toughest students. She was compassionate and

kind to them.

Born in Kentucky, Wilma Ray Judy lived in Indiana and went to college at Ball State. She met

and married Don Leonard and they were married for 64 years. They lived in Florida and

Tennessee before settling in Georgia. Millen, Georgia was their home for many years and they

were active members of Millen Baptist Church. Wilma easily made friends. She enjoyed eating

out more than cooking, but she had some specialty dishes for girls and grandsons like salmon

patties, chocolate chip cookies, and jiffy cornbread. She never liked taking pictures, but she was

beautiful and a picture rarely captured her essence.

Her daughter Judy Patrick, infant granddaughter Tiffany Leonard, and grandson Christopher

Patrick preceded her death which were heavy losses. Don was smitten with Wilma until his

death in 2022 and even told the nurses in hospital about his beautiful bride of 64 years.

Wilma was resilient, facing tough obstacles in her life, but managing to endure with humor and

joy.

Her daughter Jill wrote a song honoring her and Wilma's eyes would fill with tears whenever she

heard Jill singing. The line "home is in my mother's eyes" encapsulates Wilma to all of her

daughters.

My Mother

By Jill Denmark

She is strong and yet so beautiful

She means so much to me.

She gives me faithful honesty.

She gives to me unselfishly.

And I thank God above,

For my mother's precious love.

She told me things I can be sure of.

She feels my joy and she hears my cries

Graveside Service will be 4:00 pm Tuesday, April 16, at Millen Cemetery with Rev. Heywood Cordy officiating.

Crowe-Fields Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.