Peacefully departed this life on April 24,2025 at The Center of Rehabilitation in Washington Township. He was born on March 25, 1957 in Wilmington, North Carolina, New Hanover County to Ernest Leroy Leonard, Sr and to the late Clara Pauline Canty, Leonard. Ernest an Army military dependent was educated in the Fort Dix Army Base, Wilmington NC, Mt. Holly and Willingboro School System.

Ernest enlisted into the Army following graduation in 1976 to study medical surgical equipment technology and worked as an operation room technician. Ernest served his time in different US Army Military Bases and served a term in Korea.  In 1982 while in the military in North Carolina Ernest married Lillian Pratt Leonard and born a son Antwain and raised 3 stepdaughters Tonya, Nicole, and Ericka. He liked to ski in the mountains with other soldiers.

Ernest completed 7 years military service and received a honorable Army discharge.

Ernest endured many challenges with relationships, drugs and alcohol in his young adulthood which led him to participate in what his raising was in church. He began to develop a normal lifestyle changing from the endured struggles when he gave his life to the Lord during a near drug overdose. Ernest studied and shared his experiences and began to help others as his self. Ernest wrote many books about Christianity in hopes to acknowledge others. Ernest turned his life in the direction of positive change.

Ernest worked in the hospital system and United States Post Office in Bellmawr New Jersey until he enrolled in school to become a tractor trailer driver. In 1988, he married his second wife the late Barbara Boone Leonard, with stepson Justin Boone.

Ernest studied theology and became a licensed preacher. He would visit different town churches in the states he drove the tractor trailer to and had a CB name "Preacher Man". He loved the frame as being a well-known and liked traveling preacher.

In 2006, while in Georgia he married a third wife Ruth Mungaro Leonard with stepdaughter Lynette and stepson Kadzo.

In 2008, Ernest drove a Jetro company brand new Mercedes Benz tractor trailer from state to state and received many achievement awards. He always visited his sister Gladys, brother-in-law Donnie and their family when in the New Jersey area for a few days.

Ernest was stricken by a major stroke in 2010 which paralyzed his right side and affected his walking abilities which lead to becoming disabled to work.  Afterwards, divorced, single and in recovery for seven years while growing close with his church family. He became dependent on his Georgia church family at Atlanta For Christ Christian Non-Denomination Church in Riverdale Georgia. In 2018 church members the late Sister Minnie and the late Sister Carolyn was a great help. The 2 Guardian Angels packed his apartment up and aided in driving him to North Carolina to unite Ernest with his sister Gladys and Brother-In-law Donnie by way of their meetup at Dad's home while on vacation. Ernest 25 years time in Georgia ended and a new leaf of life, faith, hope in recovery under the care of his sister Gladys POA and brother-in-law Donnie by the Anointing Grace of God. Unfortunately, Ernest health deteriorated consistently due to multiple issues from remnants of the stroke and dementia. From 2019 to 2025, Ernest was a long term resident at 5 different health care facilities in efforts to improve. But, unfortunately, his condition continued to deteriorated with vascular issues and became a double amputee and bed stricken with stage 4 osteomyelitis. Ernest suffered many years from health issues but in spite of it all God made a way in provisions.

On midday, Thursday the 24th, Ernest slept away peacefully into eternity leaving behind a daughter Anita Coates, (Omar), granddaughters Kyata, Kaniya and Kiana, a son Antwain Bishop Sr, 3 stepdaughters Tonya, Nicole, and Ericka and grandson Antwain Jr. a stepson Justin, a stepdaughter Lynette and stepson Kadzo, a sister Darlene Frisby (Franklin) and host of 12 nieces and nephews, a sister Gladys Robinson (Donnie 1st), niece Shanell Tucker (Davon), nephew Donnie 2nd (Takia) nieces Nevaeh, London and nephew Donnie 3rd. a brother Anthony Leonard, Shanee', Nicole and late Anthony Jr, a niece Alexis.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ernest's viewing on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 9 am to 11 am at the McCann – Healey Funeral Home: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Service 11 am in the funeral home. Interment with U.S. Army Military Honors at Berlin Cemetery, Berlin, NJ.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Elder Ernest Leroy Leonard, Jr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCann – Healey Funeral Home: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ Ph: 856 – 456 - 1142