Leonora T. Collins

Leonora was born December 22, 1928, in Fayetteville, NC to Daniel Earle Townsend, Sr. and Henrietta Covington Townsend. After a childhood spent on her father’s dairy farm in Durham, NC, Leonora went to Peace College and then to UNC-CH where she earned her BA. Her passion for theatre led her to join the Carolina Playmakers at UNC, and later to the Outer Banks of NC where she appeared for several seasons in THE LOST COLONY. A first marriage to Dr. Charles Hadley brought her to Charlotte, NC where, after appearing in productions at the Golden Circle Theatre and the Little Theatre of Charlotte, she began a career with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, culminating in 20 years as a Media Specialist at West Charlotte and Olympic High Schools. After retiring in 1990, Lynn followed her passion for History and began a second career volunteering as a docent at Rosedale Plantation, Latta Plantation and the James K. Polk homestead, gaining fame among 3rd graders as the beloved “Kitchen Lady”.

Leonora was preceded in death by her second husband, Frank Walton Collins, Jr. to whom she was married for 40 years, as well as her brothers, Earle Townsend, Jr. and Frank Townsend. She is survived by her son, Jonathan Charles Hadley; her daughter, Amy Hadley Link (Bob); her step children, Amelia Collins Price (Rich), Karen Collins and Tripp Collins; her granddaughters, Rachel Kelly Wade (John) and Mary Katherine Kelly; her sisters-in-law, Hazel Townsend and Cate Townsend; nephew, Walter Townsend; and nieces, Susan Townsend and Sarah Luchuck.

The family will hold a small reception on Sunday, Feb. 25th, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte, and have asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the James K. Polk house.