Norma Jean Leonard

Mrs. Norma Jean Anderson Leonard, age 88 of Sparta, passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at her residence.

Norma Jean was born March 18, 1937 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late William Alphus and Cleo Curtis Anderson. She was Valedictorian of Roosevelt High School in Dayton, Ohio Class of 1955. She had over a 40 year career with H & R Block. She was the longtime piano player at Burgess Falls Baptist Church and more recently a member of Macedonia The Baptist Church. Norma was an avid reader and in her younger years enjoyed water sports, her later years, she looked forward to the daily entertainment of going through her mail.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Harold Gene "Shorty" Leonard who died September 5, 2016.

Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her two daughters Sharon Leonard Patton, Lisa K. Thompson & husband Barry

Son: Jeff A. Leonard

Grandchildren: Shelby Luna and husband Justin, Tristan Thompson and Hannah Diamond, Jordan Patton and wife Kyleigh

Great-grandchildren: Liam, Lilly and Luke Luna

Sister: Wanda Gregory and husband Jack

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, August 24, 2025 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Saylors Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 12:00pm Sunday at Hunter Funeral Home. Brent Craven will officiate.

Jeff A. Leonard, Barry Thompson, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Patton, Justin Luna and Raymond Anderson will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Daryl Leonard.

The family asks that memorials be made to Saylors Cemetery c/o Hunter Funeral Home, PO BOX 90, Sparta, TN 38583