Brenda Joyce Leonard, 81, of Jonesboro, passed from this life on Monday, October 5, 2026, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. She was born on September 3, 1945, in Jonesboro to the late James and Cordelia Williams.

Brenda was a 1963 graduate of Nettleton High School and enjoyed keeping up with her former classmates throughout the years. She was a longtime member of Nettleton Baptist Church, where she attended alongside her husband, Royce. Brenda and Royce were married on April 15, 1966, and shared 60 years of marriage together.

For 50 years, Brenda worked at George’s Jewelry in Jonesboro. Jewelry was much more than a career for her; it was a genuine passion. Over the years, she attended jewelry trade shows, enjoyed buying and selling pieces, and built a personal collection that included some of her favorites, especially cameo brooches.

Brenda also had a great love for music and was an enthusiastic Arkansas Razorbacks fan. She could often be found proudly sporting a Razorback hat. She enjoyed collecting coins and cameos, but above all, Brenda treasured her family. She loved spending time with both her immediate and extended family and always looked forward to family reunions and the opportunity to be together.

In addition to her parents, Brenda was preceded in death by her sisters, Maudean Honnoll and Lewisa Williams, who died in infancy.

She is survived by her husband, Royce Leonard of Jonesboro; sons, Tracy Leonard (Melody) of Sherwood and Kirk Leonard of Texarkana; brother, Dwight Williams of Sherwood; sisters, Carol Roy of Sherwood and Linda Adair of Jonesboro; and grandson, Jake Evan Leonard of Batesville. She also leaves behind two special nieces, Christal Adair and Kathy Ann Honnoll, who, along with Brenda, were affectionately known as the “Three Divas.”

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Emerson Funeral Home with Stan Ballard and Brady Canright officiating. Burial will follow at Nettleton Cemetery.