Prentice C. Leonard

Prentice Carroll Leonard leaves a legacy of love of family, compassion for others, cheerful greetings, optimistic viewpoints, pleasant personality and principles of doing what was right. He stood for fair treatment and kindness to all, regardless of their circumstance. While he stood firm in his beliefs, he was open to changing them if not working to benefit himself and others. 

Prentice was the fourth of six children born to parents Moses and Cresa Leonard. He was born on May 28, 1943. The family lived on 25th Avenue North in Nashville, Tennessee. Whenever he reminisced of growing up on 25th he spoke with warm and grateful words of the experience of living in an environment that nurtured him, including neighbors like Mrs. Blake next door, and Aunt Mable and Uncle Clarence, on the other side, Aunt Lula down the street, and Uncle Sammy spending time with him. The extended families including the Bass, Dixon, Gates and Pitt relatives on the street were sources of many stories he would tell of their unselfish influence on him. Prentice relished remembering teachers at Ford Green School, Washington Junior High, and his beloved Pearl High School. One of his favorite memories of those times was being a member of the Pearl High Band and being mentored by Band Director, Marcus Gunter. It would be difficult to really know Prentice without understanding his strong foundation of core values and love of family and community. Prentice was baptized at an early age at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church known then as Gordon Chapel. 

Throughout his adult life, Prentice resided in several cities, including Cleveland, Ohio with his Aunt Marion and Cousin Clarence Bass; in New York City with former childhood friend Cordell Reagan; in Los Angeles, with cousin Marion Bass Wilson and family, sister Ellen and brother Vernon; and Orlando, Florida where his cousin S. L, Gates lived. Wherever he lived, it was always appreciated to be near family and friends. In 2022, Prentice returned to Nashville where he had retired from the State of Tennessee. At this juncture he found employment as a Court Officer in Criminal Court under the supervision of Judge Monte Watkins. And during his final employment he served as a Crossing Guard with the Metro Police Department. He spoke highly of the friendships he gained during those times of late employment. Two of his pleasures were to travel and attend professional football games. He absolutely loved attending more than a dozen Super Bowl games and having season tickets to the Titans games, and traveling to Europe. He never stopped planning for the next trip. 

Prentice leaves to celebrate his living with his siblings Cresa Bailey and Ellen Pugh (Nashville), Sister in-Love, Fannie Leonard (Nashville), nephews Mitch Snow, Michael Leonard, Jeffrey Leonard, Jonathan Leonard, Donnie Bailey, Durand Bailey (Atlanta), Anthony Leonard, Derrick Leonard (Nashville), nieces Patricia Judkins (Nashville), Loria McKinnie (Brownsville, TN), Marsha Sherrill (Nashville) and Cresa Pugh (New York, N.Y.) a special and caring cousin, Princess Gates (Nashville), and a host of friends and former co-workers and casual people he met in life with a smile and warm greeting.