Emily (Mumaw) Leonard

Emily M. (Mumaw) Leonard, 99, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2021, at Country Club Retirement Campus in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Emily was born on January 18, 1922, in Nelson, Ohio, the daughter of Merle and Mildred (Russell) Mumaw. 

After her 1969 graduation from Kent State University, Emily taught elementary school for 4 years in Ashtabula County public schools before moving to Dade County, Florida, where she continued to teach for 16 more years.

Following her retirement in 1985, Emily pursued her calling to become a minister and enrolled in Emory University's Candler School of Theology, achieving her Master of Divinity in 1989.   She then returned to Ohio and pastored for two Methodist churches one in North Bloomfield and one in Colebrook. Throughout the years, Emily has taken the leadership role in many community activities including 4-H, Cub Scouts and teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Saybrook United Methodist Church. 

Emily was also a writer.   As a staunch Democrat, she proudly defended her country with editorials in the "Star Beacon." She has also self-published three books: "Emily," a book detailing her childhood and growing up with her 4 siblings in Troy, Ohio; "Seasonings: Time and Thyme Again," a book of her poetry and sketches; and "Hodgepodge: Come let us Reason together," a book that brings alive and teaches people to understand Bible stories. 

Emily loved the outdoors too. She prided herself with a lovely flower garden and especially loved to show off her gladiolus and portulaca. And the hummingbirds. In the evening they were her constant companions because she always took time to talk to them. But, after all is said and done, what Emily loved the most was family gatherings and sharing our heritage together. Our last gathering was a 2018 picnic at Saybrook Township Park.

Throughout the years, Emily attended Saybrook United Methodist Church or Geneva United Methodist Church as she truly found joy and happiness in her ministry. She was a member of the Eastern Star and during her retirement she volunteered her time tutoring students.  Emily enjoyed all different types of flowers and enjoyed watching birds of all types in their natural habitat.  In addition to her many interests and hobbies, Emily’s true source of happiness was spending quality time with her loving family.

Emily is survived by her loving family, her children: John (Rebecca Munda) Leonard, and Virginia (Leonard Krashoc) Minick; her daughter-in-law Nancy Leonard; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, Roland E. Leonard in 1989; her son Roland G. "Ronny" Leonard in 2020; and her siblings Randall, Wesley, Virginia, and Elizabeth. 

The immediate family will be having graveside funeral services and an interment at Garrettsville Park Cemetery in Garrettsville, Ohio.  A memorial service will also be held in her honor at the Saybrook United Methodist Church; these details will be announced at a later date.

Fleming and Billman Funeral Home are honored to be handling the arrangements for the Leonard Family.

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