Norma Jean Anderson Leonard, 88, of Sparta, passed away Aug. 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at her residence.
Norma Jean was born March 18, 1937, in Cookeville, to William Alphus and Cleo Curtis Anderson.
She was valedictorian of Roosevelt High School, in Dayton, Ohio, Class of 1955. She had over a 40-year career with H & R Block. She was the longtime piano player at Burgess Falls Baptist Church and more recently a member of Macedonia The Baptist Church. Norma was an avid reader and, in her younger years, enjoyed water sports. In her later years, she looked forward to the daily entertainment of going through her mail.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Harold Gene "Shorty" Leonard who died Sept. 5, 2016.
Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her two daughters, Sharon Leonard Patton, Lisa K. Thompson and husband Barry; son, Jeff A. Leonard; grandchildren, Shelby Luna and husband Justin, Tristan Thompson and Hannah Diamond, Jordan Patton and wife Kyleigh; great-grandchildren, Liam, Lilly, and Luke Luna; and sister, Wanda Gregory and husband Jack.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Aug. 24, 2025, at Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Saylors Cemetery. Brent Craven will officiate. The family will receive friends noon-2 p.m., Aug. 24, at the funeral home.
Jeff A. Leonard, Barry Thompson, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Patton, Justin Luna, and Raymond Anderson will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Daryl Leonard.
The family asks that memorials be made to Saylors Cemetery c/o Hunter Funeral Home, P.O. Box 90, Sparta, Tennessee 38583.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
