Leon Word (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Leon Allen Word, son of Rosco Allen and Hattie Mae Hamilton Word, was born October 13, 1927, in Camden, Arkansas. He met his Savior face-to-face on Thursday, October 18, 2018, in a memory care/assisted living facility in Greenville, South Carolina surrounded by his loving family during his final moments and comforted by the reading of God’s word.
While Leon was studying at Bob Jones University, he met Doris Anne Chestnut and on December 29, 1953, they were married.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bob; and a sister, Frances.
Leon is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Doris, of the home in Taylors, South Carolina; his son, Timothy Word, Sr., and his wife, Teresa, of Taylors, South Carolina; his daughter, Leanne Word, of North Kansas City, Missouri; three grandchildren, Corrinne Word Knupp, and her husband, Harris, of Manassas, Virginia, Bethany Word, and Timothy Word, Jr., both of Taylors, South Carolina; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in Camden, Arkansas, and one evening while in high school, kneeling on the 50 yard line of the athletic field, Leon accepted Christ as his Savior. After high school, he served in the United States Army, being honorably discharged on April 12, 1949. He then attended Bob Jones University where he received his graduate and master’s degrees. Leon was one of Dr. Bob’s preacher boys and faithfully served the Lord during that time, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Leon attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated in 1961 while serving as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He continued in the ministry for over thirty-five years, as a pastor and many years after that leading a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Lebanon. Two highlights of his life, of which he spoke about frequently, were his mission trips to Brazil and Ecuador.
Leon worked many years in the Lebanon Public School System as a speech therapist and especially enjoyed working with young people every day.
In his spare time he enjoyed watching sports on television and writing letters of encouragement to his many friends. His family was very important to him and he especially liked spending time with his grandchildren.
Leon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated therapist, and a caring and encouraging man of God.
Memorial contributions to First Baptist Church Missions, or Alzheimer's Association, may be made through the funeral home.
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