Below Obituary written by cousin Robin Simmons and subsequently published in newspaper THE TAMPA TRIBUNE on December 5, 2012.
LEONARD, Lezlee Celeste (Herring), 54, of Riverview, passed on to eternity on December 3, 2012, following a brave, extended battle with cancer. Lezlee was born on October 6, 1958, at Tampa General Hospital, one of five children born to Bill and Gayle V. Simmons Herring of Ruskin, FL.
Her Florida heritage includes some of the earliest pioneer families of Hillsborough County dating back five generations. After graduating from East Bay High School in 1976, Lezlee and her young love, Allen married in 1980 and went on to create a loving family with three children, who then multiplied their blessings with six grandchildren.
To Lezlee, her family was of highest importance. She was surrounded by a large, wonderful family of siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws, friends, and co-workers who admired her love for life. Her husband, Allen was her biggest supporter and made all of her dreams come true. Lezlee was a highly respected reading specialist with Hillsborough County Schools and was passionate about her job as well as the importance of reading and education.
Those left to cherish the memory of Lezlee include her loving husband of 32 years, Allen Leonard; daughters, Allison Goodyear and Amanda Lovett; son, Daniel Leonard; grandchildren, Madison 10, Logan 8, Carson 7, Gavin 6, Mallory 5, Alivia 4, brothers Steve, Paul and Tyler Herring; sister, Rhonda Herring; and father, Bill Herring. She was predeceased in death by her mother, Gayle V. Simmons Herring. Lezlee will also be missed by many other relatives including the last remaining living uncle on her mother's side (Hugh and Anne Simmons of Texas), first and second cousins, and many longtime friends.
A funeral service for Lezlee will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Ruskin. Visitation will begin at 9:30, with a service to follow at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest at Fellowship Cemetery. We will remember Lezlee's large spirit for life, and her large heart for love.
LEONARD, Lezlee Celeste (Herring), 54, of Riverview, passed on to eternity on December 3, 2012, following a brave, extended battle with cancer. Lezlee was born on October 6, 1958, at Tampa General Hospital, one of five children born to Bill and Gayle V. Simmons Herring of Ruskin, FL.
Her Florida heritage includes some of the earliest pioneer families of Hillsborough County dating back five generations. After graduating from East Bay High School in 1976, Lezlee and her young love, Allen married in 1980 and went on to create a loving family with three children, who then multiplied their blessings with six grandchildren.
To Lezlee, her family was of highest importance. She was surrounded by a large, wonderful family of siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws, friends, and co-workers who admired her love for life. Her husband, Allen was her biggest supporter and made all of her dreams come true. Lezlee was a highly respected reading specialist with Hillsborough County Schools and was passionate about her job as well as the importance of reading and education.
Those left to cherish the memory of Lezlee include her loving husband of 32 years, Allen Leonard; daughters, Allison Goodyear and Amanda Lovett; son, Daniel Leonard; grandchildren, Madison 10, Logan 8, Carson 7, Gavin 6, Mallory 5, Alivia 4, brothers Steve, Paul and Tyler Herring; sister, Rhonda Herring; and father, Bill Herring. She was predeceased in death by her mother, Gayle V. Simmons Herring. Lezlee will also be missed by many other relatives including the last remaining living uncle on her mother's side (Hugh and Anne Simmons of Texas), first and second cousins, and many longtime friends.
A funeral service for Lezlee will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Ruskin. Visitation will begin at 9:30, with a service to follow at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest at Fellowship Cemetery. We will remember Lezlee's large spirit for life, and her large heart for love.
Below Obituary written by cousin Robin Simmons and subsequently published in newspaper THE TAMPA TRIBUNE on December 5, 2012.
LEONARD, Lezlee Celeste (Herring), 54, of Riverview, passed on to eternity on December 3, 2012, following a brave, extended battle with cancer. Lezlee was born on October 6, 1958, at Tampa General Hospital, one of five children born to Bill and Gayle V. Simmons Herring of Ruskin, FL.
Her Florida heritage includes some of the earliest pioneer families of Hillsborough County dating back five generations. After graduating from East Bay High School in 1976, Lezlee and her young love, Allen married in 1980 and went on to create a loving family with three children, who then multiplied their blessings with six grandchildren.
To Lezlee, her family was of highest importance. She was surrounded by a large, wonderful family of siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws, friends, and co-workers who admired her love for life. Her husband, Allen was her biggest supporter and made all of her dreams come true. Lezlee was a highly respected reading specialist with Hillsborough County Schools and was passionate about her job as well as the importance of reading and education.
Those left to cherish the memory of Lezlee include her loving husband of 32 years, Allen Leonard; daughters, Allison Goodyear and Amanda Lovett; son, Daniel Leonard; grandchildren, Madison 10, Logan 8, Carson 7, Gavin 6, Mallory 5, Alivia 4, brothers Steve, Paul and Tyler Herring; sister, Rhonda Herring; and father, Bill Herring. She was predeceased in death by her mother, Gayle V. Simmons Herring. Lezlee will also be missed by many other relatives including the last remaining living uncle on her mother's side (Hugh and Anne Simmons of Texas), first and second cousins, and many longtime friends.
A funeral service for Lezlee will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Ruskin. Visitation will begin at 9:30, with a service to follow at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest at Fellowship Cemetery. We will remember Lezlee's large spirit for life, and her large heart for love.
LEONARD, Lezlee Celeste (Herring), 54, of Riverview, passed on to eternity on December 3, 2012, following a brave, extended battle with cancer. Lezlee was born on October 6, 1958, at Tampa General Hospital, one of five children born to Bill and Gayle V. Simmons Herring of Ruskin, FL.
Her Florida heritage includes some of the earliest pioneer families of Hillsborough County dating back five generations. After graduating from East Bay High School in 1976, Lezlee and her young love, Allen married in 1980 and went on to create a loving family with three children, who then multiplied their blessings with six grandchildren.
To Lezlee, her family was of highest importance. She was surrounded by a large, wonderful family of siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws, friends, and co-workers who admired her love for life. Her husband, Allen was her biggest supporter and made all of her dreams come true. Lezlee was a highly respected reading specialist with Hillsborough County Schools and was passionate about her job as well as the importance of reading and education.
Those left to cherish the memory of Lezlee include her loving husband of 32 years, Allen Leonard; daughters, Allison Goodyear and Amanda Lovett; son, Daniel Leonard; grandchildren, Madison 10, Logan 8, Carson 7, Gavin 6, Mallory 5, Alivia 4, brothers Steve, Paul and Tyler Herring; sister, Rhonda Herring; and father, Bill Herring. She was predeceased in death by her mother, Gayle V. Simmons Herring. Lezlee will also be missed by many other relatives including the last remaining living uncle on her mother's side (Hugh and Anne Simmons of Texas), first and second cousins, and many longtime friends.
A funeral service for Lezlee will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Ruskin. Visitation will begin at 9:30, with a service to follow at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest at Fellowship Cemetery. We will remember Lezlee's large spirit for life, and her large heart for love.
