Leona Chapin Obituary

Leona Chapin was born on Sunday, July 12, 1936 to Ella Sarah Case and Heron Glenn Hawkins in Crow Agency Montana, she was their second child and first to survive. She passed away on October 9, 2025 at the age of 89. She was proceeded in death by her sisters, Joyce Hawkins, Della Wagner one brother Cecil Hawkins and her beloved grandchildren, Jason, Valerie and Anthony Turner. She graduated from Senior High School, Billings Mt., in 1954. After graduation she moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue a modeling career. When her career and recognition rose, she was invited to live at the elite Hollywood Club where her career was directed toward her continual future success. While living at the Hollywood Club she met and became friends with several up-and-coming celebrities. She also met Lauren Chapin of "Father Knows Best" and who introduced Leona to her brother Michael Chapin, whom she would go onto to share two children with. In 1965 she moved with her children back to Billings where she attended Eastern Montana College and earned two bachelor degrees. One in Business and one in Education. After graduation in 1974, she moved to Browning MT, where she taught kindergarten and first grade for two years before leaving to teach in Lodge Grass Mt in 1976 for four years. In 1980 she moved to Reno, NV and worked for the school district under Title 9 until her retirement in 2001. After retirement she moved back to Billings to the family ranch where she lived until her death. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 24:1 The Earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell there with in. She lived by those words and was a woman who was kind to everyone she met, and who never spoke ill of any person. She loved teaching little children, and she loved flowers. A bouquet would always put a smile on her face. She is survived by one brother Sherman Hawkins, her daughter, Christina (Robert) Turner, and her son Gregory (Rita) Chapin, two grandsons Robert (Sandi) Turner Jr. and Gregory (Lori) Chapin Jr. and one granddaughter Tatiana (Cameron) Reese. Three great grandsons Byron (Makana) Gabica, Aidan and Gabriel Turner two great granddaughters Moirah and Elllianah Turner. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 27th, 2025 at 3 p.m. at the Life Source Church 410 Albert St., Billings, MT with the reception to follow.