Leonard Lunsford's Obituary
Leonard Stokley (L.S.) Lunsford, age 101, of Davidson, passed peacefully into eternal life on June 26, 2021 at his home. He was born in Del Rio, Tennessee, March 17, 1920 to Lonnie and Hattie Click Lunsford. Leonard was always a sweet boy from Tennessee, a consummate gentleman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather.
Leonard served as a Medic in the United States Army during WWII, stationed in Germany. He met and married the love of his life, Bettie Sue Helms in 1947. Together they raised five children.
Leonard, with brothers Chester and Frank Lunsford owned and operated Lunsford’s Grocery, an independent grocery on the corner of Fifth and Irvin Streets in Charlotte, NC for over 37 years.
Foremost in Leonard’s life was his love for our Lord. He was compassionate and caring, modeling a beautiful Christian life. Leonard and Bettie found great joy in visiting family and friends who were shut in. Their generosity of spirit was a blessing.
Being the last surviving member of his birth family, Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Lorene Lunsford, Beulah Clark (Ed), Chester Lunsford (Reba), Frank Lunsford, and Doris Gunter (Winston). Left to cherish his remarkable life are his wife, Bettie Helms Lunsford, his children, Michael Lunsford (Sandra), Wanda McCord, Sharon Wiggins (Stephen), Arista Lunsford-Dunn (Christopher), and Jeffrey Lunsford (Nancy), 14 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their spouses and sisters-in-laws Betty Ruth Lunsford and Cindy Helms.
We wish to especially thank Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, Lake Norman Team for their attentive, compassionate care in walking us through a beautiful end-of-life journey. We also wish to thank Sharon Taylor, RN and Kia Livingston, NP and the Team of the Veterans Administration for serving our country’s veterans, in particular Leonard, with compassion and exemplary care.
Dr. Michael B. Thomas was our father’s primary care physician and a family friend for many years. We credit his care and expertise for helping our father live a long, healthy life. We will forever be grateful for God placing him in our path.
Leonard’s graveside service will take place on Wednesday, June 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC, Reverend Dale Breidinger officiating. Viewing will be 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at James Funeral Home, 10520 Arahova Drive, Huntersville, NC.
If you wish to send a memorial to honor the life of Leonard Lunsford, please consider a donation in his memory to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226-8198 or Samaritan’s Purse, P. O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.
James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC will serve the Lunsford family.
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