Kathryn Christine Leonard Bower

Mrs. Kathryn Leonard Bower, 93, born Kathryn Christine Leonard, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2018. She was born on March 29, 1924 in Lexington, NC to the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Henderson Leonard. Her beloved husband, the late Joel Hill Bower, and brother, the late Joseph Leonard, preceded her in death. She was a graduate of Lexington High School, attended Woman’s College in Greensboro (now UNC-G), and graduated from High Point College (now University). Mrs. Bower was the secretary at South Mecklenburg High School from 1963-1996, when she retired. However, she returned in 1996, months later, as a substitute teacher, serving until 2010, a total of 47 years of service at South. Mrs. Bower never tired, and always wanted to stay busy. She loved her family deeply, gardening, reading, and children. She served with her husband in the church nursery, caring for the infants for many years.

Mrs. Bower is survived by her daughter, Carol Cooper Kingsmore, and her husband, Robert, of Charlotte, her son, Steven Leonard Cooper, and his wife, Lisa, of Greensboro, NC, her stepdaughter, Barbara Sellers, and her stepson, Jack Bower, both of Dallas, TX; and eight grandchildren, Kathryn Kingsmore Allison and husband, Andrew, of Charlottesville, VA; Derek, Mitchell and Christopher Cooper, and Parke Kissner of Greensboro, NC; and Kelly, James, and Scott Sellers of Dallas, TX; as well as a sister-in-law, Marguerite T. Leonard, of Thomasville, NC; and two nephews, Greg and Phil Leonard, of Fairfax, VA, and Asheville, NC.

The family would like to express their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Neil Bloomfield and Patsy May of Seniors Helping Seniors; Lise Bucholtz, Cozette Woods, and Mary Linda Salisbury of Compassionate Care of Charlotte; and the nurses and employees at Brookdale Carriage Club.

A service to celebrate and honor Mrs. Bower’s life will be held Friday, February 16, 2018 at 2 P.M. at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 1901 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210. The Reverend Dan Hester is presiding. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 1901 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 or the donor’s favorite charity.