J. Henry Obituary

Henry, J. Leonard

Feb. 24, 1947 - July 12, 2025

J. Leonard Henry, 78, of Albertville, died peacefully at Shepherd's Cove on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

He grew up in Albertville and lived all of his adult life in the Heart of Sand Mountain. He received his bachelor of science degree from Jacksonville State University. He was a retired school teacher, having taught biology for 27 years. He finished his education career at Douglas High School and taught there all but his first year as an educator.

After his retirement from the Marshall County school system, he worked for 29 years at J. Leonard Henry & Co., the jewelry store he opened with his wife and daughter in Albertville. He was a master jeweler for more than 35 years and a numismatist for many decades as well.

Leonard treasured friendships most especially and looked for the good in everyone. He was a kind and gentle soul who loved Albertville, Sand Mountain and its people. He taught generations of families and took great pride in remembering the names of his former students when they stopped by his store.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, working in his garden and attending trade days. He was honored to be the vendor who had sold the longest at Collinsville Trade Day. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Boaz.

Leonard was preceded in death by parents C.L. and Chloia Henry; brother Jack Henry, wife Mary Henry, daughter Rachel Henry and two great grand children. He is survived by daughter Kim Craft (Rhonda) of Albertville, granddaughter Ariel Kitchens (SFC. Steven Kitchens) of Kansas, sister Shelby Hilliard of Albertville, sister-in-law Jackie Belcher (Tom)of Newbern, nephew John Hilliard, nieces Louise Warren and her children Madeline Warren and Thomas Warren, Stacey Adams (Bart) and their children Harrison Adams (Kayleigh Furr) and Ellie Atchison (Pierson), nephew Cray Belcher (Jenna) and their children Reagan Belcher, Will Belcher and Wesley Belcher, and beloved dog Misti. The family would like to thank Gwyn Camp, Ann Peters, Tony and Teresa Duvall, special friend Susan Rogers, MMCS third floor nurses, MMC Home Care, Dr. Scott, Dr. Jordan and the staff at Shepherd's Cove.

Service will be Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at McRae Funeral Home with Bro. Rock Stone officiating. Internment will follow in Beulah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday at McRae Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Cray Belcher, Bart Adams, Jeff Clemons, Jeff Gregg, Harrison Adams and Thomas Warren. Honorary pallbearers are Tony Duvall, Steve Howton, Tom Belcher, Tommy Owen, Arnell Hudson. McRae Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family requests donations be made to Shepherd's Cove Hospice of Marshall County or flowers be sent to McRae Funeral Home and friends wear bright colors and no coat or tie.