Raye Whitted Leonard

Raye Whitted Leonard, 89, of Grayson Creek Assisted Living in Welcome, NC passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.  She passed away after being in declining health for several years. 

Raye was the daughter of Roy William Whitted and Elsie Huneycutt Whitted of Buncombe County NC.  The family moved to the Lexington area, where she attended local schools. She was raised in a loving home, where she was taught love and to help others  She married Charles Bascom (Sonny) Leonard on August 5, 1955.  They lived in Chicago, IL while Sonny finished his education.  When they returned to Lexington, Raye worked as an assistant in the Radiology Department at the Lexington Memorial Hospital.  She enjoyed working with patients and her co-workers.  She later worked as an in-home caregiver and touched many lives. Over the years in retirement, they also lived in Venice, Florida and Laurel Fork, Virginia, before returning to Lexington. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Verlie Mae Whitted, Betty Joe Whitted and Sara Elizabeth Link, as well as a brother Clarence Whitted. Her husband Sonny passed away on February 20, 2024.  

Raye is survived by her daughters Debbie Tate (Jim) of Trinity and Kim Brown (Larry) of Lexington. Grandchildren are Will Tate, Anna Raye Tate and Kevin Brown (Jessica).  Her great grandchildren are Levi Tate and Sophia Tate.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Raye enjoyed reading, traveling, hiking and spending time with her family and friends.  She was involved in church life at the various places they lived, as a member of choirs and Sunday School classes.  Raye and Sonny’s extensive travels took them on trips throughout the United States, Europe, the Holy Land of Israel and several cruises.  One of their most remembered trips was the summer that they traveled across the United States and Canada in their motor home with their grandchildren, Will and Anna Raye.  

Raye was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lexington, NC. Her funeral service will be in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church at 201 W. Third Avenue, Lexington, NC on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. The family will have visitation in the church sanctuary one hour before the service (1:00 p.m.).  The service will be conducted by Dr. Ray N. Howell, III and Pastor Chris Byrne of the New Friendship Baptist Church (Winston Salem, NC.). Burial will follow the service at the Forest Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Lexington, NC.   

The family would like to thank Raye’s caregivers at Grayson Creek Assisted Living and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice for their concern and loving care. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 436, Lexington, NC 27293 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 11796, Charlotte, NC 28220.  

J.C. Green Funeral Home, 122 West Main Street, Thomasville, NC 27360 will be assisting the family and condolences may be left at www.jcgreenandsons.com.        

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