Memorial services for Joseph "Joe" Anthony Leone will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Summer Grove Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service. Officiating will be Dr. Rod Masteller assisted by Brother Billy Crosby.
Joe was born December 10, 1944 in Shreveport, LA to Johnnie and Mary Leone and went to be with his Lord on May 11, 2018 after complications from heart surgery. He graduated from Bossier High in 1963. He went to work in 1965 at Western Electric. He continued to work there as it transitioned to AT&T and later, to Lucent Technologies. While working full time, Joe was able to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Nova University at the age of 48, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree. After retiring from Lucent in 1999, Joe then went to work as the CFO at Cornerstone Rehabilitation from 1999-2005. He subsequently served as the Executive Director of The Terrance Assisted Living in Shreveport from 2005-2013. Joe proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard and Army Reserves for 27 years, retiring January 1, 2005 earning the rank of Sergeant Major.
Joe was greatly loved by numerous family members and friends including his church family and the New Beginnings Sunday School Class at Summer Grove Baptist Church. Joe accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized in 1991. He had a great passion for serving his Lord Jesus Christ and sharing his testimony with anyone who would listen. Joe was extremely proud to serve as a member, deacon, trustee, and choir member at Summer Grove Baptist Church for over 27 years.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Mary Leone. Left to cherish his memory and continue his legacy are his wife and best friend of 48 years, Verda Ebarb Leone; his children, Kenny Leone and wife, Cherie’, Stephen Leone and wife, Shannon, Kim Cooper and husband, Allen, and Susan Burkett and husband, Ben. Joe adored his 14 grandchildren, Hunter, Chase, and Emily-Anne Leone; Christian, Josh and Anna Kate Leone; Tyler, Chance, and Kaylee Campbell; Hayley and Zack Cooper; and Madison, Lauren, and Jackson Burkett. Joe was also blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Pierson Leone and Harper Grey Boulay and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe is also survived by his two brothers, Johnny Leone, Jr. and wife, Antoinette, and Andy Leone and wife, Kathy. Joe’s grandsons will have the honor of serving as pallbearers.
The family would like to thank Dr. Paul “Corky” Davis, Dr. Mary Mancini, and Christus Highland CCU staff for their extensive efforts and care.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Summer Grove Baptist Church building fund in honor of Joe.
