Larry Joe Leathers

Larry Joe Leathers departed this life Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

He was born Monday, March 10, 1947, in Jackson, son of the late J.W. and Clara King Leathers, living all of his life in the Toone area. He was a 1965 graduate of Bolivar Central High School and received his B.A. in Biology at Union University, becoming a saved Christian while attending school there. He worked 32 years at K-Mart, retiring in 2011 as the sporting goods manager. On August 26, 1977, Bonnie Brown agreed to marry him, only after she told him she would "since Elvis had already died". He served his country in the US Navy in the late 1960's to early 1970's, mostly in the Mediterranean, based out of Virginia Beach, VA. Mr. Leathers was an extremely avid hunter and fisherman, and was well known for his cooking abilities, making the best rolls this side of the Mississippi. They were always on the family table at Thanksgiving dinners. Back before developing diabetes, he would make 50 lbs of fudge to share with others and loved to cook his wild game dishes. Mr. Leathers' family states that he 'was loved by many, and those that knew him, knew his fun personality.' He wasn't known to smile much in photos, but he'd always say 'I'm smiling on the inside'. Mr. Leathers grew up in Toone Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Leathers of Toone; a daughter, Katy Mynatt (Randy) of Bolivar; and a grandson, Hunter Joe Mynatt. Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to the Toone Baptist Church; the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/doante) or the Ft. Bragg Ducks Unlimited Purple Heart Veterans.