Jessie Leonard Johnson

Jessie Leonard Johnson, 73, of Leachville, died Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, at his home. Born at Leachville, he was the son of the late Rudy and Lola Bishop Johnson and was a lifelong resident. He was a 1954 graduate of Leachville High School and was retired form the agriculture industry.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin, Bill and Denver Johnson.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his son, Linnie Johnson and his wife, Susan, of Weiner; his daughters, Becky Kersey and her husband, Jerry, of Belle Vista, Syrena Duffel and her husband, Jerry, of Leachville, and Ann Marie Phillips and her husband, John, of Paragould; two sisters, Betty Buck of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and LaFetra Galyean and her husband, Donald, of Knoxville, Tenn.; and six grandchildren.

A graveside funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Leachville Cemetery with Rev. Douglas Criss officiating. There was a private family visitation under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville.

The family prefers that any memorials be made to Leachville United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Active pallbearers are Jerry Kersey, John Phillips, Phillip Lyerly, Jim Kennett, Ronnie Kennett and David Wildy.

Honorary pallbearers are Boe Adams, Joey Robbins, and Tom Puckett.

Friends are invited to sign the online guest register at howardfuneralservice.com.