Emma True Leonard

Obituary

Emma True Leonard

Sunrise July 31 1938 / Sunset September 9, 2020 

Emma (affectionately know to her friends as EmmaTrue), the next to the oldest girl of 9 children, was born to Arthur H. and Lonnie B. Bethea (Deceased). EmmaTrue received her education from Dillon County Public Schools.

EmmaTrue married at 18 to Johnnie Ellie Leonard, Sr. (deceased) in the year 1957.  After they were married, they moved to Washington, DC to establish a career. EmmaTrue was a Food Service Worker for 18 years with the Federal Government, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, DC.  EmmaTrue had 5 children under wedded bliss: Johnnie Ellis, Jr (Dillon, SC).; Gloria Ann Savoy (Ft. Washington, DC); Reather Renee Prather (Laurel, MD); Lisa Michelle Bethea (Jack of Dillon, SC) and Richard Raphael (Vonny of Rhode Island, MASS).

In 1986, EmmaTrue decided that she had enough city slicking and left her good government job and relocated to her home, Dillon, SC to spend time with her mother. She worked at Norton’s Barbeque where was she the pride of establishment. She spent times doing odd jobs. She took care of people, her Uncle Mack until he passed as well as Aunt Reather.

EmmaTrue joined Bowling Green United Methodist Church (Pastor Ronald McCall) which was her family’s church. She was a part of the Sunday School, Senior Choir and Women’s Auxiliary for many years.  She was a faithful member of her church and it’s congregation meant a lot to her. In 1996, EmmaTrue became a Layspeaker and she loved to teach.

EmmaTrue was faithful until her health started to fail at the earlier part of this year.  She is preceded by Ann Eliza McCrae, Thomas “Cupig” Bethea, Arthur “Sonny” Bethea, Mary Fears, and Dorothy Bethea.

She is survived by her sister Lucille Bethea (Dillon, SC); 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild on the way; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,  and friends.

I'm Free

by Unknown

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God has laid, you see.
I took His hand when I heard His call.
I turned my back and left it all. 

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found the peace at the close of day. 

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
yes, these things I too will miss. 

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee.
God wanted me now,
He set me free

And now I can walk and dance.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or light a candle.  

Funeral services entrusted to the House of Thomas Funeral Home, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Dillon, South Carolina 29536 ~ 843-774-0566

On behalf of the House of Thomas Funeral Home, it is our aim to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, dignity and sincerity with every family we serve. If this task has been met, then our aim has been accomplished.