Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Ada Jane Leonard of Hood River, Ore., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Jan. 10, 2018. She was 89 years old.
Ada Jane was born in Watchhorn, Okla., on Dec. 31, 1928. She was the fifth child of 12 (three passed away at birth) of Albert and Maggie (King) Sappington. The family moved to Oregon to have a better life when she was 15 years old. Upon her arrival she started attending Dee School, but then left school to begin working for the AGA Cannery (which later became the Diamond Fruit Company). She packed all kinds of fruit until she retired at the age of 65. After her retirement, she worked for Tony’s Pizza Parlor as a cook and barmaid.
Ada Jane married Willard Cooper on Jan. 21, 1947. They had three children and lived in Hood River until Willard’s death in December 1954. After losing Willard, she set out to raise her children as a single mother. Through hard work she was able to purchase a home and a new car for her family. She was very proud of those accomplishments.
She met Dick Leonard in 1955 and they were married on Nov. 30, 1957. Dick and Ada Jane had two children, bringing their family total to seven. Throughout the years they enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and traveling to see family. The couple belonged to the Wy’ East Whirlers and danced for many years.
They were also members of the Elks, the Eagles, American Legion and Skyliners CB Club, to name a few. Out of all of the activities that they did together, traveling was their favorite. They traveled to Africa (to assist with building a church), Germany, London and various cities around the United States. As a child, she never dreamed she’d have the opportunity to travel outside of the county!
Ada Jane is survived by her husband Dick; daughters Muriel Jane Cooper Darr, Janet Cooper (Clay) Larsen; Michelle Leonard (Gary) Rawlings; son Gene Cooper; brother Charles (Verla) Sappington; brother-in-law Harold Peffer; daughter-in-law Lorinda Leonard; 10 grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Willard Cooper; her parents Albert and Maggie Sappington; brother William and his wife Betty Sappington; sister Eula and her husband, Robert Arnessen; sister, Matillda, and her husband, Earl Lee Clapp; sister Ruby and her husband, Jim; sister Mary Peffer; brother Joe and his wife, Anna Lou Sappington; sister Sharon and her husband, William; son-in-law Lester Darr; and son, Robert Leonard.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday Jan. 20, at the Hood River Church of the Nazarene (2168 Belmont Drive Hood River, OR 97031).
We the family would like to thank Heart of Hospice for their love and grace throughout the time they took care of our mother and wife. We can never say how much we thank you. The Leonard family.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals - Receptions - Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
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