Leonard White was born July 10, 1925 to Minnie Etta Brantner and Robert Hanley White in Robertson County, Texas.
Leonard was married one time, to Annie Waldeen Jones, his childhood sweetheart, whom he affectionately called “Queen Annie”. They were married on March 27, 1944 on his mother’s front porch in the community of White Rock, Robertson County, and they remained married until Waldeen’s death on December 5, 1997. They were married 53 years, 8 months and 9 days. They were blessed with 2 sons, Ronald Leonard White and wife, Jeannine, and Thomas Hanley White; 2 grandchildren, John Wade White and wife, Debra, and Rebecca D’Ette White Marshall and husband, Jimmy; 4 great grandchildren, Jacob Hanley White (19 years), Tyler Watson (18 years), Miranda Marshall (16 years) and Savannah Jeannine White (21 months); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and all 5 of his brothers and sisters, Vernese Jackson, Dean White, Maurine Bodiford, Royal Ray White and Herman White.
Leonard served in the United States Army during World War II, and was wounded on Leyte in the Philippine Islands 8 days after landing while delivering ammunition to the troops. For this meritorious action, he received both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Upon recuperation, he returned to his unit to finish his military duty in Okinawa. Leonard was very proud of his military service.
He retired from the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad after 40 years of service, having worked first in Houston and then in Belmead, Texas, beginning as a switchman and retiring as a Yard Master.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at the White Rock Missionary Baptist Church in the White Rock Community of Bremond, Texas, interment will be at the Heard’s Prairie Cemetery in the Petteway Community of Bremond. Services will be officiated by Leonard’s long time pastor and personal friend, Bro. Ralph Richard.
Leonard will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leonard’s name to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26th Street, Bryan TX 77803. Many thanks go to this special group of people for their wonderful care of Leonard.
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