June Lovins Leonard

June Lovins Leonard, of Charlotte N.C. was born April 12, 1943 in Swainsboro, GA to Gladys and Tom Lovins and died from complications of Alzheimer’s in Charlotte, NC on August 2, 2020, while listening to her favorite hymns and surrounded by family.

Her ancestors were early settlers of Emanuel County, GA where she was born and raised in Nunez, GA and Swainsboro, GA. She loved talking about growing up in a small town andespecially about her high school years at Swainsboro High School, Class of 1961, where she was a cheerleader and on the Homecoming Court. After high school, she worked for an interior design business where she developed an incredible passion for decorating that she carried through life.

In 1966, she married the love of her life, Mike Leonard and later had Michael and April, whom she loved dearly until the day she died. Cooking incredible meals and baking cakes for her family and friends were a few of her great pleasures in life. Because of the expansion of Leonard Buildings, they moved to Charlotte in 1975.

Raised in the Baptist faith, she and Mike attended Calvary Church. She was always smiling and never left her house without her red lipstick, red nail polish, and earrings! Her grandchildren always said that “Nunie” looked “fancy”, especially with her gold jewelry and “leopard print” clothes that she was known for. Being a grandparent to her three “absolutely precious” grandchildren was her favorite pastime. June was a larger than life character that will be deeply missed by many. She was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Gladys Hall Lovins, brother Dexter Lovins and her beloved husband “Big Mike” Mike Leonard, Sr.

She is survived by her children April and John Tegeler and Drs. Michael and Anitha Leonard all of Charlotte, NC and sister Mavis and Jack Flanders of Swainsboro, GA. Nunie’s grandchildren are S. Jacob Tyson Leonard, Elizabeth H. Tegeler, and Leela M. Leonard, all of Charlotte. Her surviving sister-in-laws are Julianne Lovins, Ann L. Scarboro, Helen Leonard, and Sandra Leonard. There are many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, but her nieces Mary Ann Franke, Casey Flanders Jones, and Beth Leonard were very special in her heart.

For the past year, June lived at Elmcroft of Little Avenue where all the staff were so incredibly kind, caring and loving to their “Nunie”. We also thank Abigail Dunham for being Nunie’s friend and caregiver up until her final moments. There are so many friends that June leaves special memories with but we want to thank Jim and Sandy Flanders, Libby Helms, Jack and Nancy Langley, Ellen Milano and Sandy Malloy for all their many years of friendship. Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region was wonderful in her last days to provide the family with much support and made sure June passed with peace and dignity. Lastly, we want to thank Drs. David Mabry, Peter Justis, Vanessa Sprague, Ray Bianchi and Andrea Deidrich for their wonderful and compassionate care through the years.

There was a private memorial service to celebrate June’s life at First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte NC on Wednesday August 5, 2020 available online at

https://www.firstpres-charlotte.org/funerals/  

Local arrangements include: There will be a drop in viewing and visitation at Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors, August 14, 2020 from 6pm-8pm. Graveside service will be at the Swainsboro City Cemetery in Swainsboro, GA, August 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Jim Harrell officiating. The family kindly asks that masks be worn and please practice social distancing for the safety and well being of everyone attending.

Pallbearers will be Derek Lovins, Darren Lovins, Jonathon Lovins, Steven Leonard, Mickey Holder and David Flanders.

We ask that you send donations in June’s memory to “Team Nunie”, c/o Alzheimer’s

Association 4600 Park Road Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 28209, or online at

http://act.alz.org/goto/TEAMNUNIEMEMORIALDONATIONS or Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247.

Funeral arrangements are provided through McEwen Funeral Home-Pineville, NC and Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors, Swainsboro, GA.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillehapel.com and www.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com

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