Leona T. Abood

Leona T. Abood, 88, of Valdosta, died on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at South Georgia Medical Center. Leona Theresa Abood was born to the late George & Adele Mansor Abood and lived in Valdosta all her life. All her growing-up years were spent on a little road, called the Ally, but is now Minnie-Martin Drive. She was a tomboy kind of girl, playing baseball and riding bikes with her Lebanese cousins, all who lived within walking distance. Tommy Thomas says, “She beat us soundly in sports, mainly because she was tough and a few years older.” After attending St. John’s the Evangelist grammar school, she attended Valdosta High School, marching and pretending to play the clarinet, since the band director, Butenschon, warned her not to play a single note. Like so many of that generation, after high school, she held down various employments: Bridal Consultant for Girardin Jewelers, going to Atlanta for training—Night Manager of the Ashlee Street Dairy Queen—although she could never manage the little curl on top of the cone—and Lunch Manager of St. John’s Cafeteria with Dora Lunsford. Always a hard worker, her main love was St. John’s Catholic Church and School. During the 1980s, when many Catholic Schools were closing, Leona and the other women of the St. John’s Parish went against the trend and fought to keep St. Johns open. The different organizations in the Parish could count on Leona to raise the funds for their events. In 2016, she was given The Leona Abood, Volunteer of the Year Award, and it has been given in her name ever since. Most of all, Leona loved being around young people, and they loved being around her.

Survivors include her sister, Sister Angela Abood of St. Louis, MO; a niece, Teresa Abood Crown and a cousin, Barbara George Shapiro, both of Valdosta; and numerous other cousins and other relatives. She is preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny M. Abood and George Abood, Jr. 

A Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon on Friday, January 10, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Father Adam Kasela will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11am until service time. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or School, 800 Gornto Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home