I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard His call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found the peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joys
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times,
a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart, and peace to thee-
God wanted me now; He has set me free.
Floral Bearers Family and Friends
Acknowledgement
We, the family of Mrs. Leona Bracy
English, wish to express our sincere
heartfelt thanks to all of the medical
professionals who cared for her through
her many health problems. Your calls,
cards, visits, and especially your prayers
will live with our memories of her.
Please continue to pray for us. May God
bless you all.
Services Entrusted To:
\
Mrs. Leona Bracy English
Obituary
Mrs. Leona Bracy English entered this world on September 30, 1941.
She was the beloved and only daughter of Jessie Mae Watts Bracy,
R.N. and Leon Bracy, master brick mason, in Columbia, South
Carolina. She transitioned into eternal life on Monday, July 13, 2020,
at the Heritage at Lowman, after a tenacious battle to recover from
numerous health problems.
Leona was impulsive, kind, and caring. She actually cared for others
more than she cared for herself. She never backed away from a
challenge. However, her bark was usually worse than her bite. In the
spirit of her parents, her home was always open to those who wanted
food, shelter, or just conversation.
She was very civic-minded, always encouraged people to vote! She
was always well informed about city and community activities. She
was a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy.
Leona attended the historical Old Howard School, and graduated from
C. A. Johnson High School, Class of 1959 (the 59ers). She attended N.
C. A&T and Allen Universities. She graduated from the Good
Samaritan-Waverly (“Good Sam”) Hospital School of Nursing, as a
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
During her nursing career, she worked at Beth Israel Hospital, in
Boston, MA, served in the United States Army, and retired from
William Jennings Bryan Dorn V. A. Hospital, in Columbia, South
Carolina, after a forty year Nursing Career.
Her Christian journey started at Zion Baptist Church, later St. Martin de
Porres Catholic Church, Christ Unity Church, then back home to Zion
Baptist Church.
She was married to the late Mitchell Cosby and the late Frank English.
Mrs. Leona Bracy English leaves to share her precious memory: three
sons, Adrian Jerome Cosby, Sayyid Israil Abdur-Rahim, and Malik
Abdul English, all of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, Krystal
Cosby, Adrianna Cosby, Christopher Garmon English, and Makayla
English, all of Columbia, SC; one great-grandchild, Karissa Cosby, of
Columbia, SC; a devoted godsister, Mamietta (Punch) Cain, of
Columbia, SC; her extended family in California, New Mexico, Texas,
Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut; a
host of other loving relatives, and caring friends, all of whom will miss
her dearly.
Memories
A Service of Remembrance Graveside
Monday, July 20, 2020 – 11:00 a.m. “Don’t mourn for me, God has set me free”
Reverend Dr. Cynthia James Walters, Officiating
Associate Minister, Zion Baptist Church
Prelude……..…………………….………Saxophonist Stot Juru
Scripture…….……... Psalms 23………....…Mrs. Jean Hopkins
Prayer………………………....Reverend Dr. Cynthia J. Walters
Reflections…………….C. A Johnson Class of 1959 (the 59ers)
City of Columbia Police Department
Ms. Adrianna Cosby, Family (Grand-daughter)
Selection...……………………….………Saxophonist Stot Juru
Words of Comfort…………… Reverend Dr. Cynthia J. Walters
Committal
Benediction
Selection
Interment
Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens
2603 Two Notch Road
Columbia, South Carolina