Sis. Barbara Nell (Vines) Brown-Leonard

Mrs. Barbara Nell (Vines) Brown-Leonard was born on February 4, 1937, to the late Mr.

Hosie Vines and Mrs. Ruth R. (McGhee) Vines. She passed away peacefully on January 29,

2025, with her daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Anthony Wilson, by her side.

She accepted Christ at an early age at the Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, under the

leadership of Reverend Doctor Milton Nunn. She continued serving in various roles of the

music ministry; Choir Director, Pianist, and Choir Member, under subsequent leadership

changes with Reverend S.C. Perryman, and Reverend E.B. Burpo, Jr. Additionally, she

served as the musician for surrounding churches; Corinth Baptist Church, Alexander City,

Alabama; Mount Olive Baptist Church, Jacksons Gap, Alabama; and her final assignment,

Oak Grove Methodist Church, Wadley, Alabama.

As one of her proudest achievements, Barbara graduated as Valedictorian from the

Alexander City Colored High School, in 1955. She continued her education by earning

continuous learning points through the Alexander City Community College, Tuskegee

University, and Auburn University in Montgomery.

Firmly believing that each one should teach one, she worked for the Community Action

Agency – Head Start Program for 40 years, serving as Teacher’ s Assistant and Teacher.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late George William Brown (J.W.), Alexander City,

Alabama, and Mr. Billy Leonard, Kellyton, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hosie and Ruth Vines, Alexander City, Alabama;

one son, Pastor Kelvin L. Brown, Alexander City, Alabama; two grandsons, Dedric Taylor

and Xavier Taylor, both of Goodwater, Alabama; mother-in-law, Autrey Brown, father-in-

law, Joe Brown, both of Alexander City, Alabama; mother-in-law, Annie B. Leonard, father-

in-law, Dock Leonard, both of Rockford, Alabama; one daughter-in-law, Rosie Holley Brown,

 Alexander City, Alabama; one sister-in-law, Annie Ruth Leonard, Rockford, Alabama; four

brothers-in-law, Olin Pogue and Rev. Troy L. Holley, both of Alexander City, Alabama; Mr. J.

Nathan Hill, Williamsburg, Virginia; Willie Leonard, Rockford, Alabama; Earnest McGhee

and Robert Holmes, both of Birmingham, Alabama.

She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Ruth L. Brown-Wilson (Anthony),

Madison, Alabama; two sons, William B. Brown (Ellen), Spring, Texas; Douglas E. Brown

(Salina), Phoenix, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Tracie Holley Brown, Alexander City,

Alabama; seven granddaughters; Jessica J. Stowes, Opelika, Alabama; Barbara N. Stowes,

Greenbelt, Maryland; Jamie D. Francis (David), Wakefield, Kansas; Alesia Brown Norris,

Goodwater, Alabama; Shareena Austrie (Kish) and Kacee Brown, both of Houston, Texas;

Melanie U. Wilson, Sylacauga, Alabama; Marion R. Wilson, Chelsea, Alabama; Ashley

Holley, Alexander City, Alabama; Lina Ramirez (Eric), Baytown, Texas; Jessica Salas

(Victor) and Jennifer Moreno, both of Houston, Texas; six grandsons; Eric Reinhardt

(Jessica), Alzenau, Germany; LTC William B. Brown, Jr. (Tif any), Ashburn, Virginia;

Christopher B. Brown, Huntsville, Alabama; Douglas E. Brown, Jr, and Tristan C. Brown,

both of Phoenix, Arizona; Anthony Wilson, Jr. (D’Antionece), Birmingham, Alabama; thirty-

six great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; three sisters; Rebecca L. Holley

and Hozell Pogue, both of Alexander City, Alabama; Laura J. Hill, Williamsburg, Virginia; a

first cousin, who was as close as a brother, David Boleware (Yolanda), Alexander City,

Alabama; four bonus daughters; Sybil A. Brown, Dothan, Alabama; Christy M. Brown,

Hoover, Alabama; Skylar P. Deavers, Alexander City, Alabama; Tanya K. Williams, Chelsea,

Alabama; six bonus sons; Vincent Brown, Alexander City, Alabama; Christopher T. Brown,

Nashville, Tennessee; Calvin Holtzclaw, Alexander City, Alabama; Justin Herron, Rockford,

Alabama; Kenneth Johnson and Joseph Johnson, both of Eclectic, Alabama; five sister-in-

laws; Bessie Leonard and Shirley Leonard, both of Rockford, Alabama; Jessie McGhee and

Louise Holmes, both of Birmingham, Alabama, and Vinnie Leonard, Sylacauga, Alabama;

two brothers-in-laws; Bobby Leonard and Johnny Leonard, both of Rockford, Alabama,

best friend, Pearlie M. Ford (Pal), Snellville, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,

family and friends.

Barbara was not only a beautiful person, but she had a beautiful soul; her smile and

laughter lit up the room. John 13:35 says,

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

She lived this by teaching us her motto,

“You are not responsible for how people treat you, but you are responsible for how you treat

others, so always lead with kindness and love, and remember, there are no strangers, only

friends we have yet to meet.”

To know her, was to love her. Barbara has indeed left a void in all our lives that can never

be filled. Her presence, here on earth, will be missed.

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