Olivia “Tiny” Josephine Lachney Leonard, 93, of Batesville, AR, was called home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 16, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones. Olivia was born March 22, 1929, in Marksville, LA to Filmore and Lusina Lachney and was raised in the former riverbank community of Egg Bend. She was of the Pentecostal faith.
“Tiny” was a loving mother and homemaker. She was a remarkable cook, an exceptional seamstress, a business partner, and an entrepreneur with a broad imagination and a willingness to learn. She loved attending church services, creating unique crafts and gifts, and later found joy in painting. She loved to dance as well; a good JitterBug to the old French/ Creole tunes or an effortless Waltz with her dad. Olivia loved her family, friends, and community and never met a stranger.
Olivia was predeceased by her parents, Filmore and Lusina Lachney; her loving and devoted husband of 54 years, Charles “Red” F. Leonard Sr.; a brother and sister-in-law, Hilton “Mike” J. and Florence Lachney; great-granddaughter Mia, and son-in-law, Tommy Dyson.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda LeJeune of Batesville, AR, Trudy Dyson of Houma, LA and Sharon Vaughn of Mountain Home, AR; a son, Charles (Kristy) Leonard Jr. of Kingsport, TN; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Ibert’s Mortuary, 1111 Lia St., Patterson, Louisiana, on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service at 4:00 p.m. at Ibert’s Memorial Park Cemetery. Reverend Marty Harden will officiate the service. Local arrangements were by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Adrian Bailey, Tommy Dyson Jr., Luke Dyson and Terry Vaughn
