Bertie Leonard

Bertie Bean Ledlow, was born to the late Annie Terry Bean and Robert Ledlow in Cordova, Alabama, on August 24th, 1930, and raised by her grandmother, the late Elizabeth Bean. Elizabeth was very religious and raised Bertie to be a woman of strength and structure, which is how Bertie led her life, even from a young age. She was raised by these two strong women who would later serve as the emblem for how she embodies strength, love, and support.
From a young age, she took piano lessons and attended boarding school at a neighboring town in Anniston, Alabama, Cobb High school. There, she met the love of her life and husband of 72 years, Eddie Leonard, who affectionately called her Pinky. She described their first few encounters as Eddie chasing her through the hallway during his band practice until she finally decided to be his girlfriend. After graduation, they moved to New York City to be closer to her family, they married in 1949 and had two children — Catherine Ann and the late Edward Leonard.
While in New York, she worked as a seamstress in the garment district. She was a stylish, fortuitous woman with great taste and could create almost anything. Her ability to create transcended style and clothing, she was known to create relationships with those she loved and enjoyed spending quality time with them. She had many friend groups which she shared many fond memories with. Later in life; Bertie and Eddie co-owned a childcare center where many of the children affectionately became known as her grandchildren. Bertie was the core of the center; which she ran with the love of God and great values.
While on earth, Bertie raised all of her grandchildren in the church– many sang in the Edward Singer choir; which she started with the late Rev. Edward Gilliard. She served as a trustee at Lowly Nazarene Baptist Church for over 40 years. She was a devoted Christian but was also incredibly down-to-earth. She had an infectious laugh, and she never let her love for God get in the way of supporting her loved ones. She would always find the time to listen to her loved ones no matter what was happening in her personal life.
She enjoyed fried porgies and chicken, journaling, church, shopping, and spending time with those she loved. She leaves behind her husband Eddie Leonard, her daughter Catherine Ann, her grandchildren Shanekqua, Jamie, Tonekqua, LaShawn, LaQwesha, Prince, Dasha, Mayasa, her great-grandchildren, goddaughter, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and adopted grandchildren.
If there is one thing she would want to leave you all with, she would always say, “there’s never too much the Lord can’t handle. Give all your struggles to God”.
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