Mrs. Mary Leonard

Obituary For Mrs. Mary Leonard

Mary Belle’s Recipe to A Legacy That Lasts Forever

Mary Belle Leonard was born on September 6, 1935, in Guilford County, NC to the late Willie and Sarah Scurlock Miller. Her earthly pilgrimage came to an end on April 22, 2025, when God called one of his best servants home to glory. Mary Belle came to know the Lord at an early age and given the legacy she built, we know God is saying to Mary right now….“Good and faithful servant, well done.”

At an early age, Mary Belle had a heart for caregiving where she helped her parents raise her siblings, because she was the second oldest of seven children. Mary Belle continued to be a caregiver throughout her life by taking care of every single one of her siblings when they were ill before they went to be with the Lord. Mary Belle was truly the matriarch, or the Florence Nightingale of the Miller family, and she earned the respect of everyone who knew her.

Her Faith

Mary Belle’s walk with the Lord was a top priority in her life. She was a faithful member of Foster Grove Baptist Church and was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. She wasn’t just a member, she was committed to true service. Mary Belle served on the usher board for over 40 years until she couldn’t serve anymore. And, her passion to help young people inspired her to create the Young People’s Usher Board.

Her Career

Mary Belle was educated in the Guilford County School System and started her career in the textile industry. She spent over 30 years working at Texelastic and Unifi, where she climbed the ranks from a machine operator to supervising 29 employees. Mary’s work ethic was impeccable and was often recognized and celebrated by her plant manager. After achieving multiple accomplishments in the textile industry, Mary decided to make a career transition to Welborn Academy of Science & Technology as a custodial engineer. However, the real reason she took this job was because of her love for children and wanting to mentor them along the way….she was always full of advice and was committed to helping everybody. One of her favorite pieces of advice was -- “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”

Her Family

Mary Belle was blessed with two wonderful children that she gave birth to – Jay Lambert and Mary Jordan, and two honorary children that she helped raise – Tommy “Tinker” Miller (her brother Tom’s son) and Rhonda Eller (her sister Clo’s daughter). Mary affectionately called her Mother “her rock” because she helped to take care of her throughout her entire life. Jay would always say….”he couldn’t ask for a better Mother.” And given many of Mary Belle’s siblings passed away early, she was also “like-a-Mom” to so many of her nieces and nephews. Mary Belle’s love was infinite, and she made everyone feel special.

Her Men

Mary Belle discovered love along her journey and married Charlie Leonard on April 16, 1959. They built a beautiful home in Jamestown, NC and unfortunately their love was cut short given his illness. Unexpectantly, Mary Belle rediscovered love when she met the love of her life, her honey bunny, Thurman Gibson in all places….at High Point Hospital. After a “hookup” from her dear friend Joann Jackson, Thurman’s sister, Mary Belle was smitten after the first date with some soft music and a

few drinks. They got married in 1983 and their love lasted decades which was full of cruises around the world, long boat rides at Myrtle Beach, road trips to New Jersey to visit her sister Vi and brother-in-law Bobby, and countless family gatherings at their house. Their love was evident to everyone who knew them and to Thurman, the longer he knew Mary Belle, the more amazing she became.

Her Baking

Baking wasn’t just baking to Mary Belle, it was her special way of “loving on those she cared about.” Throughout her life, Mary Belle baked hundreds of cakes that she gave away to family, to the church, and to various people in the community. In fact, her desserts became famous across the nation with her 4-layer chocolate cake, her pumpkin muffins, and her persimmon pudding topping the list, reminding people everywhere that they were loved.

Mary Belle passed after a long illness when God decided to call her home, but her legacy will last forever in all of us. Her life inspires all of us to live better, love more, and serve more. She is survived by her: husband Thurman Gibson; son Jay Lambert (Janice); daughter Mary Jordan; son-in-love Tommy Miller (Francine), and daughter-in-love Rhonda Eller (Kenny); sister-cousin Coody Jackson; sister-in-law Maggie Lee Price; brother-in-law Bobby Thompson; 6 grandchildren: Lamont Lambert, Brad Jordan, Pamela Bohannon, Anita Martin, Ty Macon, and Barry Macon; 3 great grandchildren: Jamya Lambert, Caden “Baby Boy” Lambert, and Cameron Macon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

Funeral service will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Foster Grove Baptist Church. Entombment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.

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