Jessie Leonard

Born September 3rd, 1917 to Sallie and Grover as Jessie Catherine Vaughn, later in life to ever be known as 'Momma' or 'Granny'. Jessie began life with 6 siblings, Eugene (Gene), Reginald (Reggie), Earl, Olin, Harold (Teetsie), Sadie and Margaret, all of whom she has survived by many decades. In her beginning years, Jessie found her lifetime sweetheart early on and married Edward Jenner Leonard in 1936. When they discovered that they could not have their own children, they adopted three brothers, Ronald Lee, Edward Patrick and Randy Michael, took them in and loved them as their own. In her middle years, Jessie and Eddie led a full and happy life. They raised three wonderful boys and were always dedicated to providing a happy home for them. Jessie worked as an office manager for Frito Lay and also Breyers Ice Cream, (and never lost her sweet tooth!). Jessie lost Eddie in 1977, but gained two granddaughters, Marcia Ann and Dawn Noel, both children of her son Edward, loved them both dearly and has ever since been known as 'Granny'. In her later years, Jessie found her second sweetheart, Ronald McManes, and they also led a happy and full life together. Jessie has not been exempt from pain and suffering though. Grannys' heart broke in 1987 with the passing of her youngest son Randy, after she nursed him at home through his last days. In her lifetime she has survived her momma, daddy, all of her siblings, her two lifetime sweethearts and two of her three children, with Ronald as her only surviving son. In her last years, she moved from Hyattsville to live in Libertytown with her granddaughter Dawn and her great-grandchildren, also three boys, Jack, Jesse and Michael. Granny has spent all her life dedicated to her family, and in her last years has been surrounded by the laughter and silly antics of young children, and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. She left us on April 1, 2011 but Granny will tell you not to cry, it'll be alright. She asked for everything life had to offer... And she got it all. And she did it 'her way'. She will be missed. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 9 from 10 am to 12 pm at GASCH'S FUNERAL HOME P.A., 4739 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD with a service to begin at 11:30 am. Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD. We will then celebrate her life through this weekend at our home in Libertytown with pepperoni pizza, chocolate eclairs and coffee.

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