Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows

Leonard R. Meadows December 8, 1926- April 10, 2006 MANCHESTER, GA— Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows, age 79, of Manchester, GA. died Monday, April 10, 2006, at his residence. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2006 from the Manchester First Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the Manchester City Cemetery, according to Smith Steele Meadows Funeral Home, Manchester. Mr. Meadows was born December 8, 1926 in Meriwether County, GA., a son of James Alvin and Mozelle Wise Meadows. A lifelong resident of Manchester, GA., he was retired as the President of the Meadows Companies, which included Meadows Motors, Inc., Meadows Ford, Inc., Meadows Insurance Agency, Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home, and Meadows Farms. For most of his life, "Nookie" took an active interest in his community and its citizens, relentlessly volunteering his time and energy so that others may experience a better quality of life. He built a viable business network that continued to provide local employment and stimulate economic growth to benefit the lives of many people throughout the community and state. He was a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, the Georgia State University Foundation Fund, the Columbus Bank and Trust Advisory Board, the Meriwether Bank and Trust Board of Directors, Past President of the Manchester Industrial Corporation, Meriwether County Chamber of Commerce, member and past President of the Kiwanis Club (where he held perfect attendance for 43 years). He served on the committee to save the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, now the RWSIR, served as Chairman of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Fund from 1986 to 1992 and was later Chairman Emeritus. He was a member and past President of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute Development Fund, past President of the Manchester Jaycees. He was a member of Stephens lodge #586 F&AM, Scottish Rite Mason, and Al Sihah Shrine Temple, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Pilots Club and the American Legion. He served as Representative of House District 91 from 1987 until 1992. He was a member of the Pontiac Masters, received the honor of Chevrolet Supremacy for over 22 years. was awarded Honorary State Trooper by the Dept. of Public Safety, Honor of the Flying Colonel by Delta Airlines, the Community Service Award from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the James T. Evans Rotary Award for community service in 2001. He served also on the Manchester School Board from 1962 until 1980, the Advisory Board of the Bank of Upson, the Georgia Baptist Meriwether Hospital & Nursing Home Board, and spearheaded the relocation of Horizon Medical to Manchester. Nookie's push for progress, from a business and educational standpoint within his county has long been demonstrated, not only by his personal success, but also by his participation in innumerable civic and charitable functions. He had also served on the Miss Georgia Teen Pageant board as Judge, the Miss Georgia Pageant Board, and the Miss National Teen Pageant in Kansas City, MO. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, and a member of Manchester First Baptist Church where he was a past Sunday School Director. Survivors include his wife, Alexa Corley Meadows, Manchester; daughters, Ginger (and her husband Robert) Stribling of Macon, Penny M. Hale, Piper (and her husband Alan) Gresham, Robin (and her husband Chet) McInvale, all of Manchester; a step son, Eddie (and his wife Carla) McRae of Manchester; a sister, Lorelle M. Hale; brothers, James A. "Billy" (and his wife Evelyn), all of Manchester, Horace (and his wife Barbara) Meadows of Titusville, FL.; a sister in laws, Sara Ruth Meadows of McDonough; and a brother in law, Horace Turner of Turin, GA.; grandchildren, Casey Stribling, Chase Stribling, Jon Hale, Abbie Hale, Griffin Hale, Tanner Glisson, Tori Rozell, Tyre Glisson, Seth McInvale, Shea McInvale, Satch McInvale, Trey Meadows, and Charles Meadows; step grandchildren, Kendall McRae, Kyra McRae, Laura Maley, Rob Gresham, and Matt Gresham; two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Chet Meadows.