Reverend Jeff Leonard

Reverend Jeff Leonard was the ninth of nine children born to the parentage of Matthew and Essie Kate (Scott) Nicholson. His sunrise was on December 24, 1938 in Repton, Alabama, under the name of Hilliard Nicholson. Nine days after his birth, upon the passing of his mother, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Mabel (Scott) Leonard and Sam Leonard. His name was then changed to Jeff Leonard.

A Time to Build…

Jeff was educated in the Conecuh County Public School System where he excelled in the sports of basketball and baseball, graduating from NIchburg High School. At an early age he joined the New Hope AME Zion Church in Burnt Corn, Alabama and later served in the capacity of a Deacon. Upon moving to Seattle, Washington, he joined the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church under the Leadership of Reverend John L. Coleman, where he served as a deacon and was later called into the Ministry. Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church was later renamed Mount Moriah Seattle Church under the leadership of Reverend Sherman Walker and he enjoyed serving as Assistant Pastor until his health failed.

A Time to Love and Labor…

He was married to Shelby Jean Salter and to this union 3 sons and 1 daughter was born. He also adopted 2 sons and 1 daughter. Jeff worked as a pulpwooder in Conecuh County, Alabama, where he was a loving husband and proud father to 7 children. Seeking a better life for his family, under the urging of his brother in-law Willie Gene Salter he sought work in Seattle, Washington and found employment with Lockheed Shipbuilding. He worked at Lockheed Shipbuilding until an employee lock-out occurred, then he went to Todd Shipyard. He later found employment with the Boeing Company where he worked until his retirement. Jeff Leonard was a responsible, dependable, and conscientious worker appreciated and respected by his employers and co-workers. Upon his retirement he spent his time in service to the church, loving and caring for his family and grandchildren.

A Time to Share and Care…

Jeff Leonard was a devoted husband and wonderful father who was very active in the church and supportive in his children’s and later grandchildren’s lives. He loved sports and enjoyed watching games with his wife and sons and arguing plays and stats. He considered himself a skillful fisherman and an experienced hunter, a master chef when it came to barbecuing and commanding the grill. Family members referred to him lovingly as “Mikey” because he loved to eat and enjoyed his wife’s cooking. He loved staying in contact with family members and friends, so it was not uncommon for them to see his name on their caller “ID” making a social call to their pleasure and retelling childhood stories and making jokes to entertain them.

A Time to Die…

Jeff departed this life on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at his home in Seattle, Washington. He is preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Essie Kate Nicholson and all eleven of his siblings.

A Time to Cherish His Memory…

Jeff leaves to cherish his memory: A loving devoted wife of 66 years, Mrs. Shelby Jean Leonard, seven children; five boys and two girls: Linda Ann (Rufus) Coleman, Evergreen, Alabama, Edwin W. Fountain, Seattle, Washington, Danny E. Salter, Seattle, Washington,

Richard L.(Lila) Leonard, Seattle, Washington, Marty I. Leonard, Black Diamond, Washington, Donald C. Leonard, Kent, Washington, and his sweet youngest daughter, Sharon D. McAdory, Renton, Washington; eleven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends.