God smiled on Leona Wilkins, daughter of the late Chester Mack, Sr., and Beatrice Gaston as she entered in this world in Bolton, Mississippi on July 12, 1932. She was the oldest of seven children. At the time of her birth God knew his creation was beautiful, so he purposed in her Aunt Carrie’s heart to give her the nickname of “Doll” because she was so adorable like a baby doll, and it has been the nickname that she grew up being affectionately called by her family and friends. She grew up in Bolton along with her six siblings where she attended the public school and completed her education. At an early age Leona professed and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was soon baptized in the Holy Spirit.
In 1965, Leona moved to Battle Creek, Michigan with her three daughters, Carrie, Francene and Pamela where she resided for over 42 years. She worked various jobs through her life to support her family. She worked as a housekeeper for many years where she cared for and nurtured her employers’ children. Later she went on to work for Transamerica Life Insurance Company until she retired. Leona was a woman that took great pride in everything that she placed her gifted hands on, and she ensured that she taught her daughters to take on that same pride. One of the many lessons that she passed on from generation to generation as well as anyone that she encountered was to always “treat people how you wished to be treated.”
Leona became an active member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church until the year 1975 where she then transferred her church membership to Holy Light Missionary Baptist Church under the
teachings of Pastor J.C. Oliver. She faithfully served for over 30 years in various ministries. She was President of the Nurses Guild and the Mothers Board. She sung in the Senior Choir, served on the
Usher Board, and she gracefully served as a Deaconess which was her last position. As a result of her generous spirit and beautiful personality, she was loved by many and she took great joy in taking
care of the sick and shut in where she utilized her gift of cooking and she prepared numerous meals over many years for those who were unable to do so. Her love for Jesus Christ was truly reflected in everything she did. She had a flair for cooking, gardening, and baking. She was well known for baking and gifting family and friends with pound cakes, sweet potato pies, and her delicious banana nut bread. Leona was a Godly woman who lived her life as it is written in Proverbs 31. She loved everyone with all her heart.
Not only was Leona a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, but she was also devoted to being a loving caretaker for her sister, Ardelia Tucker until her passing in 2006.
In 2006 she relocated to Gardena, California to be with her family. In 2009 she became a member of McCoy Missionary Baptist Church where she enjoyed the teachings of Dr. Robert A. Williams. She regularly attended Sunday services and Bible studies until she was no longer able to attend in person.
However, she would ensure that she continued to receive her pastor’s sermons. As the Matriarch of the family, Leona was well loved, and she was surrounded by five generations of her greatest blessings. She took pleasure in reading her Bible every day, she enjoyed taking phone calls from her grand and great
grandchildren, family members, and friends. Though Leona was still active, she thoroughly enjoyed her retirement life. She loved watching her favorite television programs which included:
Young & The Restless, Lifetime, Judge Judy, Dr. Phil, and old western movies, sharing and conversating about her life memories and being completely spoiled by her daughters and son-in-law.
Leona quietly departed this life and entered Jesus Christ’s loving arms on January 24, 2021. She was preceded in death by her sisters: Ardelia “Sis” Tucker, Katie Mae Berry, Pearlie Mae Colley, Willie Mae Gaston (Mae Mae), her brother, Chester Mack Jr., and son-in-law, Rob McLaurin.
Her beautiful life will be cherished and remembered in the lives of her family. She is survived by her daughters: Carrie Ware of Inglewood, CA; Francene Wilson and James Wilson (son-inl-aw) of Gardena, CA and Pamela Artis of Battle Creek, MI; her sister, Mary Mallett of Jackson, MS; her Godson, Kevin Conner
of Phoenix, AZ, her Goddaughter, Tracey Pollard of Battle Creek, MI, seven Grandchildren: Teresa Mitchell (Gerald), Jerry Dollison (Shelia) of California; Alicia Jones (Shelton) of Houston, TX, Gerald Sparks, Jr. (Kwana) of California; James Willard Hardy (Wendy) of Oro Valley, AZ; Shaun Roberson of
California and Antawn Marquis Lake of Battle Creek, MI; 16 Great Grandchildren, 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, a host of devoted and loving Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and many friends, all of these she loved and touched deeply.