Bishop Eugene Leonard, Sr.

Bishop Eugene Leonard Sr., affectionately known as “RELS”, was born July 02, 1952, in Birmingham, Al to the late Mr. John and Carrie Dell Leonard.

Bishop Leonard attended Birmingham public schools He graduated with the Class of 1970 from Jackson-Olin High School.  Bishop Leonard knew the Lord had great plans for him at an early age and surrendered his life to the Lords call to servitude at the age of 16.  Bishop Leonard received his ministerial licensure in November of 1968.  He continued his educational studies attending Sanford University and Birmingham Bible College.    Bishop Leonard was officially ordained July 23, 1972, in Birmingham, Al.  He was drafted into serving in the U.S. Army in 1972 where he served as a Medic until receiving an honorable discharge in 1974. 

Bishop Leonard returned still committed to the call on his life for five decades preaching, teaching, leading people.  Bishop Leonard Pastoral tenure began in 1976 at Bethel Baptist Church Alpine, Al until moving to Anniston, Al in 1981 where he began pastoring Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. In 1989, Bishop Leonard moved to Dothan, Al where he pastored New Bethel Baptist Church and founded Good Shepard Full Gospel Baptist Church in 1996 where he remained until 2004.  Bishop Leonard and his family moved to Georgia, and he pastored Zion Missionary Baptist Church from 2004-2010. Bishop Leonard retired from Pastoring however continue to serve in ministry full time traveling to preach, mentor, and teach until 2023.  Bishop Leonard retired after 55 years of full-time ministry however continued sharing his wisdom and guidance through mentorship, his “Few Scattering Remarks” on his social media platforms, and with his church family at Wrights Grove Baptist Church.

One of the greatest honors Bishop Leonard held in high regard was meeting the love of his life Jaqueline James Leonard, known as his “Honey”.  The pair married on December 1, 1989 in Dothan, Al and began a dynamic journey of building life, love, laughter, and legacy with every moment gifted in their now 36-year marriage.

Bishop Leonard received his “Well Done” on November 06, 2025, and peacefully took his rest at home with his wife by his side.  Along with his devoted parents, Bishop Leonard Sr. was welcomed into Heavens gates by his little princess, granddaughter Ramiah Leonard, two sons, Nimrod and Martin O’rell Leonard, brothers, Johnny Lee, Jerry, Leon, Frank, Robert, David, and his only sister Brenda Brown.

Bishop Eugene Leonard Sr leaves to cherish & grow his legacy his beloved wife Jaqueline J. Leonard,  sons, Eugene Jr., Henry (Tiffaney), James (Aleshia), Emmanuel (Tahira), John (Makia), Stephen (Sue-Lin), Kito (LeJenue), and Prince Henry,  bonus sons and daughters, Marcus Reese Jr., Rasheeda Stephens, Niesha Brown, and Katrina Kelley,  two brothers-in-law,  three sisters-in-law, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, god-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

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