Ronald Wayne Leonard, Sr. was born on December 26, 1955 in Dallas, Texas to Odis
Leonard, Jr. and Lillie Mae Monroe Leonard. He was a student in the Dallas Independent
School and graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Dallas where he was in the
ROTC.
At an early age, Ronald attended New Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of
Rev. GT Britt. As an adult, he served faithfully as a deacon at New Christian Fellowship
Church under the leadership Pastor Andre Byrd, Sr. until the time of his passing.
Ronald married the love of his life, Debra Hawkins, on August 1, 1987. They raised 3
beautiful children, served in ministry together, and were deeply rooted in a community of
friends and family over the span of their marriage.
In 1974, Ronald attended Prairie View A&M University and went on to join the U.S. Marine
Corps in 1975 where he served in active duty for 7 years.
Over the past 39 years, Ronald has been a faithful employee for the U.S. Postal Service
alongside his wife who he met while working on the job. He famously tells the story of seeing
Debra for the first time and proclaiming, "That's gon' be my wife!"
His many loves were his family, his old school vinyl records, learning the piano, a good
t-bone steak, and the word of God.
Ronald is preceded in death by his father Odis Leonard, Jr.; mother Lillie Monroe Leonard;
mother-in-law Lela Hawkins; father-in-law Richard Hawkins; and brother-in-law Eric Brantley.
Ronald is survived by his wife Debra Leonard; son Ronald Wayne Leonard II (Jeneive);
daughters Takima Da'twarm Persley (Albert) and Krystal Dèkel Jackson (Gabriel);
grandsons Jayden Daytwon Persley and Ronald Wayne Ohene Leonard III; two
brothers-in-law Eric Hawkins and Tommy Brantley; sister-in-law Jacqueline Terry;
mother-in-law Juanzel Brantley; and father-in-law Joe Brantley