Obituary
Barbara Mitchell Leonard (née Barbara Jo Mitchell) passed away on July 16, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. Born March 22, 1950 to Robert Leonard Mitchell and Jo Ellen Vickers Mitchell in Pensacola, Florida, Barbara grew up in Panama City, Florida.
Barbara attended the University of Florida and became a Tri Delta sister. She then moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama becoming a Crimson Tide fan (Roll Tide!). Relocating to Jacksonville, Florida in the early 70s, she became a Bulls then a Jaguars fan. Barbara loved sports of all kinds but was partial to football and baseball.
Starting as a secretary, Barbara rose to be the Chief Financial Officer for a large insurance agency in Jacksonville. She retired early to travel with family and friends. Her favorite trips were shopping in Italy, enjoying the sun in beautiful beach towns, and any trip with her grandsons. In retirement, Barbara continued as an active member of the Pilot Club of Jacksonville, and a supporter of Scouting in honor of her Eagle Scout son-in-law and grandsons.
Raising two children as a single mother in a new city, Barbara created a beautiful life for herself and her family, with a strong will and Southern charm. She leaves a legacy of generosity, unconditional love, and enduring sweetness.
Barbara spent her final years in the Orlando, Florida area surrounded by family, living at Watercrest of Winter Park. She was cared for by the wonderful team at Halifax Hospice, and tended to by beautiful caregivers from Concierge Care. The family wishes to thank them all for making Barbara’s last years comfortable and stress-free.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents and her son, Michael W. Leonard, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Carrie Beasley Jones (Craig) of Orlando, her grandsons Craig Lawrence Jones, III of Orlando and Clark Mitchell Jones of Winter Park, her bonus daughter Nicole Wells of Sanford, Florida, and her bonus granddaughter Payton Rodriquez of Winter Park. She also leaves behind her sister Linda Mitchell Morris (Joe) of Newnan, Georgia along with her family, and a large extended Vickers family in Panama City.
The family will hold a private service along Barbara’s beloved Gulf Coast.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your local non-profit Hospice program or the Mayo Clinic for ongoing research in cancer treatments.
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