Reverend Charles F. Leonard

Reverend Charles F. Leonard, 90, of rural Pierce City, passed on Sunday Nov. 1, 2026 after a brief illness.
He was born on July 19, 1936 in rural Pierce City to the late Frank Leonard and Verna (Means) Leonard. He graduated from Pierce City High School with the class of 1954. He was a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, north of Pierce City.
On Feb. 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ferguson, and they were blessed with 65 years of marriage.
He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1960 and together, he and Shirley ministered to several area churches for over 55 years, including more than 40 years at Ritchey Baptist Church in Ritchey. He was also an outside salesman at several local lumber yards, including Monett Lumber and Wilks Lumber and retired from Barton‘s at age 73.
He is survived by his son, David Leonard and wife Vicki of rural Purdy; his daughter, Diane of rural Pierce City; two granddaughters; great-grandchildren; and his sister, Illa Abramovitz of S.C.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and sister, Virginia Henson.
Graveside services for Reverend Charles Leonard will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Monett. Reverend Gary Stockton will be officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in care of the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett.