Leona Turbeville Lewallen

Essie “Leona” Turbeville Lewallen, 72, died peacefully Friday October 10, 2025 at her home after several years battling Alzheimer’s.  Born December 20, 1952, in Tabor City to the late Elary Turbeville and Vestus Bessie Nobles Turbeville, she attended East Davidson High School before becoming a wife and mother.  She married the late Kenneth Reid Lewallen on September 16, 1972 and raised three daughters. 

Leona spent some of her working life as a knitter for various hosiery mills in High Point and later worked for Automotive Motors of Thomasville and retired after working for DJ McNeil Cleaning.  Leona loved to read and later in her life was always seen with her word search “books” in hand.  Leona realized the importance of hard work and instilled it in her three strong daughters.  She loved her grandchildren and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Leona was preceded in death by her sister, Janice Marie Farmer and a niece, Donna Marie Farmer. 

Surviving are her three daughters, Sandy Lackey (Brad), Beth Kennedy (Michael), both of Lexington and Karen DePolo (Michael) of Easton, Kansas; a “bonus” daughter, Kimberly Hedrick (Frankie) of Lexington; grandchildren, Dakota Hedrick (Sarah), Hayden Hedrick, Lucas Kennedy, Byerly Kennedy, Layla DePolo, Cole DePolo and a great-grandchild, Charlee Hedrick; four brothers, Elary Turbeville (Jeannie), Allen Turbeville (Debbie), Douglas Turbeville (Susan) and Michael Turbeville; and many nieces and nephews. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October, 13, 2025 at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Thomasville, with Pastor Benny Sprouse officiating.  Family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Westfield Baptist Church Cemetery 6863 Westfield Baptist Church Road, Trinity, NC.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Life Center of Davidson County.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.jcgreenandsons.com.

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