1-17-1927   -   1-20-2023 Surrounded by her family, Marie Sharp Leonard, age 96, went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2023. Born on January 17th, 1927 in Knoxville, TN to Milburn T. Sharp and Elizabeth Hines Sharp. She had an idyllic childhood growing up on Oglewood Drive in North Knoxville. Marie graduated from Old Knox High in 1945. After graduating high school, she attended and graduated from The University of Tennessee where she was a proud member of Tri-Delta sorority. In 1950 Marie married Robert H. (Bob) Leonard and their marriage thrived until Bob’s death in 2012.

Their marriage resulted in three children, Robert, Elizabeth and Patrick. Throughout their marriage, Bob and Marie traveled to almost every state and several foreign countries often through Bob’s affiliation with Optimist International. Marie was active throughout her life in numerous charitable and community organizations. Among other affiliations, she was heavily involved in establishing the Girls Club of Knoxville, volunteered with Ossoli Circle, taught Art History in Knox County Schools, was a proud and active member of the CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship), the Village Green Garden Club, Golden Girls, P.O.E.T.S., FCC Book Club and served as Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church. In 1972 Marie & Bob moved from South Knoxville to the Village Green Subdivision in West Knox County where they resided until their respective deaths. At that time, Marie took a job with orthopedic surgeon Charles Gouffon who soon partnered with Dr. Sam Marcy in the orthopedic group that became Gouffon, Marcy , Jackson and Cates and that is now known as Tennessee Orthopedic. Marie enjoyed 22 years of working for “Charlie & Sam” and maintained their friendship throughout the rest of her life. With Bob’s election as Farragut’s first Mayor in 1980, Marie served with class and dignity as Farragut’s First, First lady until Bob’s retirement from politics in 1993 so they can spend more time with their grandchildren, Seth, Maggie and Robbie. Marie’s love for Farragut continued throughout her life participating in numerous town activities and serving for years on Farragut’s Beautification Board and as a volunteer docent at the Farragut Folklife Museum until reaching the age of 95. Marie stayed active and continue to make new friends through the YMCA’s sliver sneakers program. Throughout her life Marie was an avid Vol Football & Basketball fan. She continued to attend basketball games into her 95th year. Marie was a devoted Christian who attended First Christian Church from birth until the church closed in 2015. To a large extent Marie and Bob’s lives centered around FCC and the Disciple’s Sunday School Class which they helped establish. Marie faithfully believed in the power and grace of Christ. Next to her Lord and Savior the most important thing in Marie’s life was her family & friends. She celebrated their successes and comforted them in times of sorrow. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Milburn & Elizabeth Sharp; her of husband of 62 years, Bob Leonard, and her son, Robert M. Leonard. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Beth) Bledsoe and husband Jerry, Patrick J. Leonard and wife, Sheri; her grandchildren, Joshua Seth Bledsoe, Robert Ellis Leonard and wife, Morgan, and Maggie Mariah Bledsoe; great-grandchildren, Molleigh, Cali, Dani, Nash, and Dax. Also survived by much loved cousin, Kay Moore and husband, Robert, and cousins, David Sharp and Ellen Davis. The family will receive friends from 4pm to 6pm on Friday, January 27th, 2023, at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with a memorial service to follow officiated by Rev. CJ Bays. Interment at Pleasant Forest Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Optimist Club of Knoxville’s Henry Naff Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 358, Knoxville, TN 37901).