Leo Belton

Deacon Leo Belton, 91, of Norwich, CT passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021, at the Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center. He was born on May 14, 1930, to the late Emerson and Cendonia Belton of Ridgeway, SC- the youngest of ten children.

He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Willimantic, CT where he served as a deacon. He had a very inviting smile and a kind and loving spirit, which are qualities of the Christian’s character which are so needed in the world today.

He was a military veteran having served in the Korean War, 1951 – 1953 who told stories about the battle of “Old Baldy Hill” (Hill 266) and numerous fatalities throughout the war. He received multiple medals – Korea Defense Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Badge. He ended his military career with an Honorable Discharge that included a Purple Heart for a gunshot wound.

Uncle Leo, as he was called by family and many others who knew him, was also known as “Bones.” He was the uncle of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, a pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns, of the National Negro Professional Baseball League. In her biography “A Strong Right Arm” by Michell Y. Green, it was “Bones” who was her first teammate and coach. It was “Bones” who taught her how to throw a knuckleball.

When Uncle Leo spoke about his long life, he was thankful that his memory was still sharp.

Leo is survived by his daughters Cassandra (Chris) Hairston, Beltsville, MD, and Doretha Simmons, Washington, DC. Stepchildren from his union with Rose: Monroe Fulton, NY; Douglas Fulton, NJ and Carol Staten, MD; Grandchildren: Shawndell Hadley (Calvin), FL; Arnold Belton, Jr. and Angel Belton, MD; Darrell Clark, MD; and Gerald Belton, MD, and four great-grandsons. Also, by numerous family members to include his special nieces, Patricia Jones and Ernestine Glover who were supportive and always there for him.

Proceeding Leo’s Home Going was his wife, Rose Belton, Norwich, CT and his first wife, Bernice Belton, Washington, DC (divorced). Children from his union with Bernice Belton: Cendonia Coles, FL, and Arnold (Patricia) Belton, MD. Brothers - Emerson Belton, NC; Alexander Belton, DC; Caleb Belton, SC. Sisters - Willie J. Long, SC; Queen E. McCray, CT; Cora M. Belton, NJ; Della M. Havelow, DC; Dorothy Farrow, NJ, and Mary A. Bell, NJ.

Uncle Leo will be greatly missed by all of us.