Edith LaNell Leonard, 77, of Bryan, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2009, at St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan. Funeral services are set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, with burial immediately following at Bryan City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Funeral Home.
LaNell worked for GTE for 37 years, and then she worked for First American Bank for 10 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Bryan. She volunteered as a pink lady at St. Joseph, and also volunteered much of her time to the Brazos Animal Shelter, as she loved animals.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Leonard, her mother Crystal Boucher Rushing, and her father Raymond Clark.
Survivors include her daughter, Ellen Cates, of Bryan; grandchildren, Brandon Spiller and Amber Cates Pledger, and 4 great grandchildren.
My thoughts and prayers are with you
during this difficult time Ellen.
LaNell was a very sweet and nice lady
who will be remembered for her thoughtfulness to her many friends.
Ellen, I’m so sorry for your loss of your Mother. Just breaks my heart she was such a dear friend to me all these years. We enjoyed each other so much and will never forget how nice she was to me when we moved to College Station. She was my first friend and has stayed that way through all these years. I know she is in a better place but it still hurts having her gone.
Love to you and Brandon,
Monette and Gerald Grinstead
I will miss seeing La Nell’s beautiful smile when I go visit my mother. She would be in the hall or I would go by her room. She was a very beautiful – wonderful person. My prayers are with you Ellen – family
Dear Ellen,
I’ll always remember your mother for her faithfulness to her family, her friends, and her church. I saw her just a few weeks ago at Sheridan where she was recovering from a fall, but I never would have guessed that it would be the last time I would see her. As always, she was smiling and optimistic for her speedy recovery. Seeing her was always a blessing for me.
You will be in my prayers. You are indeed surrounded by ‘a cloud of witnesses’ all of whom love you dearly, but whose presence you must miss daily. May God bless you with the greatest sense of eternal life that will comfort and strengthen you every day. Sincerely, Bob Richers
I have known Lanelle way back when we were both single, meeting her through my sister-in-law Ann, who also worked for GTE in Bryan. I have not seen her for many years, as we left Bryan in 1978. I remember you Ellen, seeing you perform with the Shyannes at Bryan Hi.
I enjoyed so much the phone call Lanelle made to me re: our 5oth wedding anniversary just 3 yrs ago.
Please know, Ellen, that our Lord love you and your family, only trust Him!.