Viola Johanna (Phillips) Leonard

Viola Johanna Leonard, 82 of Gray passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018 in the Johnson City Medical Center. She was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County. Mrs. Leonard was a daughter of the late John Clifton Phillips and Helen Kunkel Phillips. She started working in the County School System when her youngest daughter was in the third grade, first volunteering then substitute teaching then secretary at Jonesborough Elementary School until retiring in 1988. Mrs. Leonard owned and operated the Blossom shop in Johnson City from 1989 until 2001. She had worked for the past 17 years as owner of Jack and Jill Child Care until her illness from a stroke a year ago. Mrs. Leonard was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Pete” Leonard in 2005; a daughter, Brenda Kaye Elliott; a brother, Clifton “Cotton” Phillips; two sisters, Dolores Whiteaker and infant sister, Zenobia Phillips. Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Leonard of Gray and Marie Sanabria and husband, Victor of Albany, GA; two sons, Kirk Leonard of Mount Carmel and Keith Leonard of Johnson City; four grandchildren, Lori Beth Staton, Russell Leonard, Bryan Leonard and Shane Leonard; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive as well as special friends, Christy Hughes and Holly Church. Funeral services for Mrs. Leonard will be conducted at 8:00 PM Tuesday, March 13, 2018 in the chapel of Woodall-Anderson and Dugger Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until the service hour. Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday in the East Tennessee Cemetery, Blountville. Pallbearers will be selected from the family and friends. For those attending this service you are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:50 PM.  favorite_border Donations PledgesRead Obituary