Crysta Renee Leonard

Crysta Renee Leonard, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on December 15, 2025, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Born March 17, 1993, Crysta lived a life filled with kindness, joy, and compassion. She was passionate about dance, shared laughter and wisdom with all who knew her, and had a rare gift for making others feel truly seen and cared for.

Crysta graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 2011, where she was on the Varsity Dance Team all four years. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Services with a minor in Psychology from Troy University in 2015, where she danced on the Troy Dance Team and was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She later earned her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Florida A&M University in 2018.

Following graduate school, Crysta worked as an Adoption Coordinator and Case Manager for Family First, helping approximately 160 children find loving, permanent homes. Her dedication and compassion left a lasting impact on children and families in her care.

Crysta is survived by her husband, David A. Leonard, and their daughter, Marlow Leonard; her mother, Cheryl Andrews and husband Keith; her sister, Jennifer Boswell and husband Dustin; her stepsister, Bryanna Partsch; nieces and nephews Riley, Reagan, Ronin, Rory Boswell, Cassandra and Soraya Shorey, and Wynter Partsch; her grandmother, Jo Johnson and her partner, Lloyd Brill; her father, Jeff Weaver and wife Karen; and her mother-in-law, Donna Leonard; sister-in-law, Ashley Cunningham and husband Chad; and nieces Nichole and Olivia Cunningham.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents George and Marion Shorey, Irwin and Ann Weaver, and her father-in-law, David C. Leonard.

A service celebrating Crysta's life will be held on January 9, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m., with the service at 2:00 p.m., followed by a procession to Heritage Gardens in Niceville.