Susan Leonard

Susan Leonard, 81, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Fellowship Home following a period of declining health. She was born in Valdosta on October 17, 1943, to the late Charles Wesley and Laura Clark Leonard. Susan obtained her undergraduate degree from Valdosta State University and her Masters degree from the University of Tennessee. She worked for over 30 years with the Department of Family and Children’s Services and retired as the DFCS director for Lowndes County. Susan was very involved with her church, Valdosta First Methodist, and served in many areas of the church from teaching Sunday school to taking mission trips and serving as a missionary for two years in Chicago. She enjoyed traveling immensely and sited a trip to Germany as probably her favorite. She loved yellow roses, was fond of the color green, and found the words of the poem by Wordsworth entitled Intimations of Mortality and II Timothy 1:7 to be especially meaningful to her.

Ms. Leonard is survived by three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Laura Leonard of Valdosta, Eleanor Leonard Carlson, and Emily Leonard Stiteler; nephews and nieces and their spouses, Christopher and Amy Carlson, David and Paula Carlson, Patrick and Jennifer Carlson, Rob and Jen Stiteler, and Susan and Kevin O’Neill; a niece-in-law, Angie Carlson; great nieces and great-nephews and their spouses, Jonathan and Natalie Carlson, Riley and Olivia Carlson, John Wesley Carlson, Ben Carlson, Alex Carlson, Nicole Carlson, Emily Carlson, Piper Carlson, Austin O’Neill, Kristin O’Neill and Nathan Stuart, Ava Stiteler, and Liam Stiteler; a great-great-nephew, Nathan Carlson. She was preceded by two brothers-in-law, Bob Carlson and Harry Stiteler, and a nephew, Paul Carlson.

A graveside service for Susan Leonard will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Sunset Hill Cemetery with Dr. Charles Adams and Mrs. Jacque Asbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities: First Methodist Church of Valdosta, Rick Bonfin Feeding program , The Mailbox Club or Samaritan’s Purse. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.