It is with deep regret that we inform you that on the evening of Tuesday, April 13, we lost our beloved mother and grandmother, Leonore Alexis Leonard, at home in Nadir.
Leonore, also known to many by her Rastafarian dread name Queen Malika, was born on Feb. 14, 1954, on the island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to Melvina Vessup and James Leonard Sr. She moved away to the states in the 1970s to attend and complete the Job Corps Program, and she graduated with her GED before moving back home to St. Thomas and committing her life to her most important role in life: being a mother.
Leonore had five sons: James, Ron, Calvin, Emmanuel and Isaiah who she loved with all her heart. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Calvin.
She is survived by her brothers: James Leonard, Jr., Keith Leonard, and Ralph Gumbs; along with her sister, Judy Flemming; and her sons, James Dowe Jr., Ron Kuntz, Emmanuel and Isaiah Horsford. Also, she is survived by her nieces: Jana, Alicia and Cordalane Leonard; and nephews: Bryan Leonard, and Jakia and Sky Flemming.
She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Jameliah Dowe-Browne, DeVaugh, Ca’Jae, Jae’mie and Semaj Dowe, Noah, Kwasi and Ezekiel Kuntz, Caleed and Caleeda Garvey, and Ilyanna Horsford. She leaves behind to mourn many close family friends, including but not limited to, Ms. Bernadette Gillard, Ms. Lorna Johnson, Ms. Jenny, and many others too numerous to mention.
There will be a viewing scheduled from 3-5 p.m., Thursday, May 27, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service for Leonore “Queen Malika” Leonard on Friday, May 28, at Wesley Methodist Church. The viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the service following immediately at 10 a.m.
Interment will take place at the Eastern Cemetery in Smith Bay.
Family and friends are encouraged to email all tributes to tributesforleonoreleonard@gmail.com.
