Leonda Lines

Loyal daughter, precious sister, eternally endearing aunt, outstanding teacher, and remarkable friend, Leonda Lines, daughter of Wilton Henry Lines and Theda Butler, left this mortal earth for a glorious reunion with her parents and brother, Randy, November 21, 2024. Born April 27, 1943, in Phoenix, Arizona during World War II, Leonda met her Navy father for the first time when she was 17 months old.

Leonda was followed in birth by six brothers and sisters: LaNell (Garry Keith Moore), John Wilton (Claudia Curtis), Alvin Keith (Shirley Ricks and Arlene Larsson Shaffer), Carol (Stephen Walter Lundgreen), Thomas Butler (Melanie Klasno), and Randal David-deceased. Those brothers and sisters are the parents of 38 children. Leonda loved these nieces and nephews as if they were her own children. They are parents to 196 great-nieces and -nephews. And the great-nieces and -nephews are parents to 44 great-grandchildren. Leonda knew and loved each of them, and they knew and loved her.

A grandniece wrote, “There’s not enough to say about this wonderful, spunky, strong Aunt of mine. She was a light to me my whole life, and my children’s lives too.

“My love for crafting and baking were instilled in me because of this wonderful lady. She sewed prom dresses for me, helped me with bridesmaid dresses, taught me about baking, and was always there with a snack or a treat!”

“We said our goodbyes to her …, and it was such a bittersweet moment.

“I love you so much Aunt Leonda. May you rest in the arms of your parents, your baby brother, and our Father in Heaven. Man, what a reunion that would be to witness!”

Leonda took up card making when that became popular. Card making fit her like hand in glove. She loved the creative arts, and she loved people with a passion. Leonda sent a homemade birthday card to everyone she loved. Adults would receive a treasured card, and children would receive the card with a five-dollar bill inside. Multiply that by the 394 birthday cards she sent each year just to her family members alone – not to mention the many beloved friends that were fortunate enough to be in her sphere of influence.

One of those friends was Phyllis Ferguson whose Christlike friendship is unparalleled. We thank her. And we thank Carol and Steve. They, along with John and Claudia and their families did everything Leonda couldn’t do for herself. It has been an honor to do for our sister, for Auntie Lee, she who was ‘Ms. Generosity’!

Leonda prepared well for a life of service as a member of the National Honor Society at Yuma Union High School, President of the Future Homemakers of America, and participation in many clubs. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Home Economics Education, and later from Pepperdine University with an M.S. in Educational Computing. That preparation led to decades of teaching at Leuzinger High in Lawndale, California, at Cibola High in Yuma, Arizona, teaching Stained Glass and sewing classes to adults in the community, and thousands of other teaching opportunities. Leonda loved her students, and they loved her, often voting her best teacher of the year.

She served in the Yuma Justice Department helping mete out appropriate community service for youth in the judicial system. She also judged entries at the county fair for years and handled county fair ticket sales in Yuma high schools.

Raised by service-oriented parents in an environment of character-building principles, Leonda took up the baton and began teaching Primary at age 12 and went on to teach and serve throughout her life in local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She frequently served as pianist and organist for church services. Whatever she did, she gave heart and soul.

A grandnephew expressed what many feel, “Auntie Leonda, you were more than an aunt— you were a second mother to me. Your love, wisdom, and warmth shaped so much of who I am today. From the very first lesson you taught me in the kitchen, showing me how to cook with care and patience, you not only passed down recipes but a love for the ritual of preparing meals and sharing them with the ones we love.

“Above all, Auntie, no one has ever loved their nieces and nephews the way you loved us. Your love was fierce, unconditional, and unwavering. It was the kind of love that made us feel seen and cherished, no matter the distance or the time apart. You made each of us feel like we were your number one priority, and that’s a rare and beautiful gift.

“Your love continues to live on in all of us. The lessons you taught us, the memories we made, and the joy you brought to every corner of our lives will never fade. We carry your spirit with us, always, and I will forever be grateful for the incredible person you were and the love you gave so freely.”

The name, “Leonda, means 'Lioness’. Leonda lived up to her name. She was fierce at giving love. We are and ever will be the blessed recipients.

A viewing will be held at 10:00 am followed by the funeral at 11:00 am, Saturday 14 December 2024 at the Yuma Valley Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4300 West 16th Street, Yuma, Arizona.

Written by sister, LaNell, memories by niece, Jessica and nephew, Abram.