Leon Edmonds - Funeral Program DRAFT

of Leon Anthony Edmunds Leon Anthony Edmunds was the fifth of six children born to the late James A. and Leonia T. Edmunds in Washington, DC on April 24, 1954. On December 12, 2023, our Beloved Leon took his eternal rest peacefully at his home surrounded by his dedicated family.

Leon was a devoted Washingtonian until he moved to Maryland in 2009. Leon was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to so many. Leon was very proud of his entire family.

He married the love of his life, Tammie White in August 2010.

Through this union their blended family consisted of four adult children-three daughters, Brandy, Mercedes, and Bijone, one son, Wayne and one fur-baby Bella.

Leon was educated in DC Public Schools, attending West Elementary, McFarland Junior High, and Roosevelt High School until enlisting in the United States Army. Leon’s transition from the military to a young adult was filled with excitement, risk and transformative decision making. Leon decided to build his capacity and use his strength, his lived experiences, his penchant for “Wildest Stories Ever” and the foundation that his parents gave him to obtain his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA and his Masters of Arts Magna Cum Laude-With Great Distinction in Social Work from The Regents of Alberdeen University, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Because he was passionate about life-long learning, he continued his certifications in Addiction, Mental Health and Family Counseling until he retired from The Next Step Treatment Program in August 2018. Leon was committed to changing the lives of young adults who needed tough love, direction and professional counseling, so he returned to his professional career from November 2018 – January 2020 as a part-time Counselor for the Coalition for the Homeless.

As a shining example of criminal reform, with the life changing treatment he received at the Delancey Street Foundation, Leon paid it forward and became a change agent who saved many lives and families across DC, Maryland and Virginia. In addition to his work with the Coalition for the Homeless and Next Step, he was a pivotal stakeholder and/or executive for other entities such as Halfway Back Program, the Foundation of Contemporary Mental Health, Hillcrest Children’s Center, CSOSA, Youth Turning Point, ARCH Training Center, So Others May Eat (SOME), and Second Genesis, Inc. Prior to entering into the counseling field, he utilized his electrical, carpentry, and plumbing skills, working for residential and commercial construction companies in the city.

He also prided himself in lawn maintenance where he always made sure that HIS grass was the most manicured in the area.

Leon enjoyed taking Caribbean vacations. Jamaica was his favorite spot, where you could find him eating good food, lying out by the pool, and basking in the sun. As much as he would fuss, he would love to host family gatherings at their family residence. Relatives would come from near and far to partake and enjoy the festivities and share the love of family! He also enjoyed watching sports and westerns. He was very well LOVED by all.

Leon attended church with his family at a very early age. He was a member of Simms Memorial Methodist Church (later renamed McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC after the church merger)and gave his life to Christ at a very early age. He also spent many of his young adult years as part of the Nation of Islam. He returned to his Christian roots and later became a faithful member of Gethsemane United Methodist Church where he served as an Usher, Vice President of the United Methodist Men, and a member of the Board of Trustees. He also was voted Man of the Year in 2017 for his devoted invaluable service to Gethsemane UMC and the community.

Leon leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Tammie Edmunds, three daughters, Brandy (Charles) Edmunds Hawes, Mercedes Curry, Bijone (Torrence) Artis-Price, one son, Wayne (Tiffany) Seaward. Granddaughters-Jordan Edmunds Young, Skylar Seaward, Anaia and Azaria Hawes. Grandsons-R’Hoyal Harris, Isaiah and Xavier Hawes. One Sister H. Yvonne (James) Lucas, one brother Malcolm Sr. (Vannice) Edmunds and in-laws, Jacqueline (Rodney) Peters, Charles (Denise), Kelvin, Dennis (Kim), Craig (Jean), and Victor White. Additionally, he leaves a loving group of nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends. Leon has stepped in the gap to be a father, grandfather and uncle to many, including Charrissa, Ava, Patrice and their children Bianca, Kaniya, Niemah, Kamari, Kyre, Peyton, King, Gregory and Payton.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents James Sr. and Leonia Edmunds, brothers James Jr. and Calvin Edmunds, sister Barbara Tate and in-laws, O’Neal Woolfolk, Elber White, Herbert White Jr., Dexter White, and Sharon White.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

- 2 Timothy 4:7-8

of Service

PROCESSIONAL..............................................................................................Clergy OPENING HYMN..........................................................................Blessed Assurance MUSICAL SELECTION.........................................................Mr. Robert Thompson

Nobody Greater PRAYER OF COMFORT........................................................Elder Anthony Sumlin SCRIPTURE READINGS...............................................Minister Russell Tolson, Jr. Old Testament: Isaiah 43:2 New Testament: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 MUSICAL SELECTION..............................................................Ms. Brandyn Poole

Open My Heart ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.............................................................Mr. Aaron Dukes TRIBUTES Mr. Dennis Lawrence Mr. Frank Porter Mr. Joseph “Bonn” Woodruff Mr. Russ Williams Mr. Arthur Rochee Mr. Lonnie Dumas & Mr. Willie Cason (Gethsemane Men) Mrs. Patrice Jones Miss Jordan Edmunds Young

MUSICAL SELECTION........................................................Pastor Raimon Jackson

Worth EULOGY............................................................................Pastor Ronald E.F. Triplett Gethsemane United Methodist Church CLOSING HYMN...................................................................Pastor Raimon Jackson RECESSIONAL INTERMENT Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery @ 1:30pm 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623 REPAST Glenarden Town Hall – Gold Room 8600 Glenarden Parkway, Glenarden, MD 20706

From Tammie

Leon, There are so many things I could say–these pictures are worth a million words.

The memories we shared comfort me daily!

You will forever be in my heart!

Your loving, dedicated, devoted Wife!

- TAMMIE “YOUR MOO”

From Family

I thought of you today but that is nothing new.

Yesterday and days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part.

God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.

- “Vonnie” Hi Grand Daddy, I’m not sure why you had to leave and why you’re not coming back, but Mommy and Daddy told me you’re an angel now. I’m going to miss you! Thank you for taking care of me when I came over and giving me all of the snacks while we watched old cowboy movies.

The popsicles were our favorite!

Love you so much!

- Skylar “Lil Girl”

Voice and Vision Fathers are created to open doors Laying the foundation Of love, respect and admiration Consistently building up our core Little did we know What you had in store The protection, your vision The insight to make a difference Your strength, your experience Came with expectations and patience Harsh talks, funny stories Resilience and friendship Prison walls and college degrees Were all apart of our blueprint You taught us to lead Head high, no regrets Curating change Not just existing Leveraging and loving The many shades of you That we’ll never forget

From lunches at Lauriol Plaza then being late to school because we stopped at Tony’s for breakfast. To teaching me how to drive the hummer then complaining when I drove as fast as you. Pushing me to get more degrees then yelling at me for not paying my loans on time. That was our relationship. Those memories made us, and I’ll cherish them forever. I love you Dad.

- “Weebster” B.....words cannot express how I feel. Thank you for being exactly who you were...REAL. I appreciate the real talks even though some of them were not easy to listen too but it was what was needed. Thank you for standing in the gap of being a grandfather to my babies.

Boy (Kyre), Cheese (Peyton) and Bob (King) loves you so much.

B, I love you so much and I’m going to miss you deeply. I thank God for you and the impact you have made on all of our lives.You will never be forgotten.

- Brandy Edmunds Hawes

- Forever, “Bullet”

Father,

Pop Pop Gone

I’m going to miss our one on one talks that we’ve had over the years. Those conversations and you showing me unconditional love & support has truly made me into the man that I am today. You telling me that you were proud of me was absolutely priceless.

As I look around for you, in the empty room I call your name and I wait for you to call mine but you left me so soon.

I’ll remember your smile and the nicknames we share In heaven, remember me the same “granddaddy boy” that name was so rare.

Pop Pop Gone!

You’ve left this earth but I know you’re at peace, resting The 2 years we spent bonding was by far the best thing.

Pop Pop I love you and I want you to know Please continue to be my Angel and watch over me as I grow.

Pop Pop Gone!

I can’t thank you enough for being my father. Thank you for being the father that I needed.

To say that I’m going to miss you is an understatement and I will never forget the life lessons that you taught me.

- “Son”

- Love, R’hoyal “Granddaddy Boy

The family of Leon Anthony Edmunds wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy conveyed to us in so many ways during this time of bereavement. We pray God’s blessings upon you and yours.

PALL BEARERS Eric Tate Dawes • Marc Dawes • Malcolm Edmunds Jr. Jesse Avans • Melvyn Smith • William Burnett HONORARY PALL BEARERS Gethsemane United Methodist Men (GMen) FLOWER BEARERS Family and Friends SPECIAL THANKS TO: Medstar Team: Dr. Aiwu Ruth He, Dr. Chuk Ihemelandu & their Staff Heartland Hospice Team, Beltsville, MD Gregory & Patrice Jones • Forever Blooming Flowers Center City Public Charter Schools • Innerloop Transportation Caterers: Portia Williams, LLC. • God’s Ivy, LLC. Event Planner: Amalia Dixon SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO: Stewart Funeral Home 4001 Benning Road, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20019 Program Design & Printing by SkyconMedia.com • 301.678.9262