Betty Joyce Leonard

Betty Joyce Leonard, age 65, joined her beloved husband, Frankie at the gates of heaven, June 11, 2018, while surrounded by her family who will miss her dearly. She worked for the past 50 years, was a hard worker, and finished her career as a school bus driver for Newport News. She also drove for Hampton and in Alabama. She was always a full time mother, wife, and grandmother, while working these full time jobs. She enjoyed animals, nature, and especially loved watching birds. She was an avid NASCAR fan; Betty also had a weird and crazy sense of humor, and an extreme love for family and friends. Betty's joy in life was to spend time with her grandchildren and family. She had friends and coworkers that she enjoyed talking and joking with. She enjoyed playing bingo and pulling one-arm bandits. All that knew her saw her adventurous daring side, and that she had a loving but spunky spirit. She was a member of Breakthrough Worship Center for 35 years and had multiple church families that she loved and prayed for; she became close to God and shared him, and her heartfelt wishes to others in her family. Betty was preceded in death her husband of 39 years, James F. Leonard Sr., sister, Linda Vela and her mother, Velma Dollar. She is survived by her three children, Marty Keaton, James F. Leonard, Jr. (Frankie Jr.), and Shannon Leonard-Moore; son-in-law, Dean Keaton; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Leonard; grandchildren, Ashtan, Megan, Sydney, Reagan, Taylor, Angel, JT (James Thomas), Christopher, and Skyler; great-grandchild, Blakely; and two sisters, Judy Murrell and Janice Blackmon. Betty will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and church family. Thank you for all the prayers and love that was shown to our Mother over the course of fight with cancer. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home and Memorial Park. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held 1:30 pm, Friday, June 15 at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Peninsula Memorial Park. Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family. Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.