Leonard Earley

On Sunday, April 19, 2015, Leonard C. Earley age 83 passed away. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio October 17, 1931 to Parrie Lee Nelson.

He confessed his hope in Christ at an early age at the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. He gave freely of his time and money and was always willing to do what he felt would help for good until his health began to fail. He attended Woodward High School and a Cosmopolitan School of Music graduate. Leonard was a Gospel Concert singer starting at the young age of 14. At a young age he became a member of the Greater Cincinnati Choral-Union.

Also Leonard love sports. He was a great youth baseball player. In addition, Leonard was one the first Black African American professional bowlers in the United States (he ranked in the top 5 best bowlers in Ohio). He bowled in both the National Bowling Association and American Bowling Association Championship Tournaments.

Leonard served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and was a United States Postal Employee and retired as a Federal Employee for General Services.

Leonard was preceded in death by his mother, Parrie Lee Nelson; father, Willie Nelson; brothers, James Earley, Harold Earley, Joseph Earley, Donald Earley. Leonard is survived by his beloved companion and best friend, Irene Forte(and Irene's children and grandchildren); brother Arzell Nelson; sister-in-laws, Delores Earley and Cynthia Lockett Nelson; 35 nieces and nephews; numerous great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews; and a host of other family members and friends.