Mamie Ella Bethea Leonard was born and raised in Dillon, SC and entered into God’s Care on November 13, 2013. She was a resident of Ewing, NJ.
Mamie graduated from Mather Academy in Camden, SC, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Columbia University in New York, NY.
During her 38-year career in education, she was a teacher, assistant principal, vice principal, principal and supervisor of home instruction, all within the Trenton Public School District in NJ. Mrs. Leonard was a member of Greater Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in Trenton, NJ. She held lifelong memberships with the Trenton Administrative Supervisors Association; the New Jersey Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals; Mercer County Retired Administrators Association; Claflin University International Alumni Association; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Trenton Alumnae Chapter; Order of the Eastern Star, Lady Ruth Chapter #12; National Women of Achievement, Inc., where she received the 2006 Achiever Award; the Hollowbrook Senior Club; the Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Urban League Guild of Trenton. In 2010, she was inducted into the Claflin University Hall of Fame.
Mamie never met a stranger and knew how to accomplish much for herself and for the greater good of all she encountered. Mamie was predeceased by her husband, Raymond C. Leonard; her parents, John and Manily Bethea; her sisters, Lucille Page, Inez Griffin, and Dorothy Thompson; and her brothers, Johnnie and Joseph Bethea. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Racine Leonard Davis (Ron) and Yolanda Coniece Leonard; her beloved granddaughter, Jacinta Lael Davis; a doting big brother, Mingo P. Bethea; an adoring nephew-son, Mikal S. Muhammad; two caring step granddaughters; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
On Saturday, November 23, 2013, friends may visit with the family at the Greater Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, 42 Pennington Avenue in Trenton, NJ from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Order of the Eastern Star and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. memorial observances will be held at the church from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and the Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Ewing Church Cemetery, 100 Scotch Road in Ewing, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mamie’s name to the charity of your choice.
Ministry of comfort entrusted to MAY FUNERAL HOMES, Camden, Pennsauken, Vineland, Willingboro, NJ and Philadelphia, PA.
