Rena Frances Leonard's Obituary
Rena Frances LeonardBirth Date: August 15, 1913Death Date: September 3, 2017Rena Frances Leonard passed away on September 3 in Castro Valley, California, with her family by her side. She was 104 years old.Rena was born on August 15, 1913 in Lanett, Alabama, to James and Cynthia Yancey. She was the youngest of 10 children. Orphaned at age nine, Rena was raised by her sister, Pauline. Rena’s first job, at age 13, was in the fields of Alabama picking cotton from early dawn to dusk.In 1932, Rena met the love of her life and future husband, John Leonard. They married shortly thereafter in July of 1933, and in May of 1934, Rena gave birth to their only child, Pauline Joann.The Leonard family headed west in 1935, settling in Oakland, California. Once in Oakland, Rena began working outside the home holding various jobs at Moore Dry Dock Company, Matson Navigation Company, and Transocean Air Lines. She concluded her working career in Oakland as a mechanic at World Airways with 25+ years of service, retiring at age 68.Outside of work, Rena enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, crocheting, watching the TV shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and her favorite pastime, BINGO. Introduced to the game in the 1940’s, Rena played the game on a regular basis at numerous BINGO halls throughout the Bay Area. Her last several years playing BINGO were spent at Foothill Square, where she had a “reserved seat” and was affectionately known as “Miss Rena” and “Grandma” to many.Rena is preceded in death by her husband, John. She is survived by her daughter, Pauline Joann Drake; grandchildren Mike and wife Debbie Drake, Cindy and husband Ronnie Sylvia, Kevin and wife Bonnie Drake; great-grandchildren Kerri Lebon, Robert Bennett, Matthew Drake, and Amanda Sylvia; and great-great-grandchildren Savannah and Pierce Bennett.She will be forever in our hearts.
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