Willie Ann (Carver) Leonard

Graveside services for long-time Cortez resident, Willie Ann (Carver) Leonard, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 at Cortez Cemetery. Willie, 98, passed away Saturday, October 17 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham, Washington. She was born in Esbon, Kansas, on April 18, 1917, to Andrew Jefferson and Florence Elizabeth (Cox) Carver. Willie moved to southwestern Colorado where she met and married Linley F. Leonard on January 27, 1934. They farmed in the Cortez area for their entire marriage. Four children were born to this union, Paul D., Virginia Lois, Carol Ann and Chester C. An excellent cook and manager, Willie worked at many local eating establishments including, the Montezuma County School cafeterias, The Pony Express Restaurant and Mesa Verde National Park cafeterias. In 1973, she established Leonard Tax Service, which she operated well into her 80's. Willie always kept a large garden until two years ago. She loved to crochet, work in her garden, cook and visit with family and friends. She is survived by her son, Chester and his wife Jean (Story) Leonard of Lewis; her grandchildren Jerry Miller of Cortez, Debbie Baxmann (Rob) of Mission, British Columbia, Ronald (Sandy) Leonard of Lewis, Wendi (Bob) Hill, Daniel D. (Patricia) Leonard of Belton, Texas, Marsha (Todd) Davis of Scottsdale, Arizona, Ginny (Shelton) Martin and Linley Leonard of Lewis; 24 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren and numerous other family and friends. Willie was preceded in death by her husband, Linley F. Leonard, son Paul D. Leonard and daughters Virginia Lois Miller and Carol Ann Leonard, her parents and brothers and sister, Millard F. Carver, Delbert P. Carver, John D. Carver, Myrtle A. Blaine, Frank K Carver and Mac R. Carver, and a grandson Terry L. Miller.