You and your family have had, and always will have, a special place in our hearts!  Our thought and prayers are with all of you.  May all the wonderful memories you have replace the sadness you feel today! Love from Fred and Pam Locke...and Amy.

All I know is that God broke the mold when He made people like Bobbi and Leonard. Now, understand that I have never known them as separate entities - they have always been "Bobbi and Leonard" in my house. Inseparable. 

My name is Amy Massenburg, but Bobbi and Leonard would have known me as Amy Locke, daughter to Fred and Pam.

In 1972, we moved to Florida. My mom got a job teaching at Limona Elementary - literally, right next door to Bobbi and Leonard's home. When my mom started teaching, I was around 4, and Mom enrolled me in Simmons Child Care on the corner of Parsons and Clay... She didn't like the care I was receiving there, so she started asking around at her school about babysitters. Her principal, Marjorie Barnett (later Tanner), recommended Bobbi. It was the recommendation of a lifetime! Bobbi and Leonard took care of me prior to kindergarten and during kindergarten (back then, kindergarten was only a half-day, so I spent the afternoons at Bobbi and Leonard's house).   

Looking at the photos on the funeral home's website brought back so many memories!

I remember that Bobbi and Leonard's home was always immaculate - just like Bobbi herself. I would always enter the house through the garage door, past the kitchen and dining room, and into the family room on the left. 

I remember the "mineral oil lamp" in the family room. Well, it wasn't really an oil lamp per se - it was like a bird cage with a small figurine inside and some greenery, and thin bars that ran down diagonally on the outside. When turned on, oil would run down the bars, and I was mesmerized by it. How did the oil get back up to run back down again? I remember seeing these things in furniture stores, but Bobbi and Leonard were the only ones I knew who actually owned one!

I remember the TV being on in the family room all the time. I would get to watch Captain Kangaroo and The Price is Right in the mornings. Then Bobbi's soap operas would be on in the early afternoon (when I would go outside and play and/or take a nap). And then I would get to watch the late afternoon programming like Gilligan's Island, Beverly Hillbillies, Flipper, The 3 Stooges, or cartoons. 

I remember taking afternoon naps in Cindy's bedroom, which was representative of the 70's with the round alarm clock, the Troll dolls, and the blacklight posters. I think she also had a couple of those "Love is..." cartoons.

I remember jumping on the trampoline and swimming in the above-ground pool in Bobbi and Leonard's backyard.

I remember walking down Telfair with Bobbi and turning right on Windhorst to go to her mother's house. Of course, I would have to hold Bobbi's hand as we walked! Bobbi's mother had a ceramics workshop with a kiln. Bobbi made the most fantastic ceramics for me. There was a forestry clock with a gnome on it. There was an ice-skating sculpture that represented both my cousin, Ricky, and me. But my very favorite was the cowgirl, who, of course, looked just like me, with her pony steed next to her.

I remember another little girl that Bobbi watched - a little girl with blond hair, perhaps a year or so younger than me. Once, we were sliding across the garage floor in our socks, and my foot hit a dirty spot. I went down, face-first, and hit my mouth on the garage floor. One of my 2 front teeth (baby teeth at the time) eventually turned dark (before I lost it altogether). Proudly, I still have a gap-toothed smile from that day.

I remember walking home from kindergarten one day, and the front of my sandal caught the crack in the sidewalk, and again, I went down, face-first, and bloodied my nose. The first place I ran to was Bobbi and Leonard's house. My nose is still slightly crooked to this day.

I remember Leonard as a tall man with his black cowboy hat, his cowboy boots, jeans, and a western shirt with snaps instead of buttons. He was always happy and had a hearty laugh. And whenever Leonard saw me, he always requested that I give him "some sugar", and I was always happy to oblige him with kisses.

The thing about Bobbi and Leonard was that they always treated me as their very own daughter. Their house was always a safe place and filled with love. Even when the babysitting days were long-gone, they always remembered me at Christmas, and they even remembered me at my high school graduation.

When I learned to drive and got my own car, I would take drives - just to get out of the house or to take the longer way home - and I would drive by Bobbi and Leonard's house and wonder what was going on inside when their lights were on...

Bobbi, I am so very sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. I take heart in the fact that he lived a long life and enjoyed his time spent with you, your girls, and the grand babies. I know that he will continue to be by your side from above, and I hope that you find peace and strength in that. 

Even though it has been many years, I can honestly say that you have been thought of often, and that you will always hold a very special place in my heart. With love. Because, you see, it wasn't just a babysitting job... You became a part of my family.

Uncle Leonard, I am going to miss walking down to see you with my papa.
Every day I salute your flag on my way to school with love......Love Neil Murray

Uncle Leonard although we have all gone our different directions in life there are  just some things you hang on to, the memories of you and Aunt Bobbie I will always cherish those memories. The things remembered the most of someone you always respected. Rest In Peace knowing you are loved by many and will never be forgotten.

I met Leonard at the Pinhook Hunting camp this past year, and he welcomed me as a new member. We sat and talked, telling each other hunting stories, and old "war stories". After just a few hours of knowing Leonard, I felt that we had known each other for a lot longer, and we became friends. He had the same passion for life, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors, like so many of the rest of us. He will be truly missed, by the ones that were lucky enough to get to know him. I am one of the lucky ones. I am sending prayers and condolences to his entire family.

We were so sorry to hear of your loss.  The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Leonard was truly a special person who meant a lot to us.  We have never meant anyone who was as giving as him.  We appreciate everything he did for us and we have an empty space in our hearts.  We do have very many fond memories of him.  
I am sure God has welcomed him with open arms and Henry and he are really having a time.  
We are so sorry Bobbie and family; and pray God embraces you as you go through this time.

Uncle Leonard, I will never forget the countless times as a child, stopped at railroad crossings, just hoping you would be driving the train so I could wave at you.  Many times, it was you driving that train, and you would always wave and repeatedly blow that train whistle for me.  It would thrill me to get that waive and whistle from, not just any train conductor, but it was from you!   It's the simple things that make great memories, and I will remember that forever.   God Bless and comfort your family you leave behind in knowing you are resting in Heaven with the Lord.

OBITUARY

Leonard W Thompson

October 3, 1934 – January 13, 2015

Hillsboro Memorial Gardens

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