Obituaries
Doris Jean Leonhardt Lail
( May 7, 1937 - February 1, 2021 )
Doris Jean Leonhardt Lail passed away on February 1, 2021 at Carolina Care Health & Rehabilitation in Cherryville, NC. She was born on May 7, 1937, to Stowe and Ann Leonhardt of North Brook. She was blessed to grow up on the farm with 2 loving parents with her sisters and a brother. Although she was raised on a farm, she was always a city girl at heart.
She graduated from North Brook High School and attended business school in Shelby, North Carolina. She was married to the love of her life, Jimmy R. Lail, and they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this month. Together they raised 2 daughters, Robin and Kristen. She loved shopping and adventure. She and Jim traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Great Britain, and South America while he was employed with Vermont American Corporation. She often served as hostess when Jim was entertaining clients and he always felt that she was his greatest asset. Together, she and Jim established a business, Jim Lail & Associates, Inc., and she retired as Corporate Secretary-Treasurer. She loved to entertain and was a wonderful hostess for many holiday gatherings and often opened her home for tours and receptions to raise funds for causes dear to her heart.
She was inducted into the North Carolina Republican Hall of Fame in 2005. She served one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives and held many positions in the Republican Party, including serving as Chairwoman of the Lincoln County Republican Party from 1998 to 2002. She also had served as the President of the Lincoln County Republican Women’s Club and worked as a campaign chairwoman for Senators Broyhill and Dole, Congressman Alex McMillan and Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner.
She was a member of the Go Go Girls Club, a local garden club, First United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and she was their greatest treasure. She always loved their visits and spoiled them every chance that she had.
She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Jane Carswell. She is survived by her husband Jim; her daughters Robin Goins and husband, Wayne, of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Kristen Willis and husband, Ed, of Lincolnton, North Carolina; her grandchildren Travis Goins (Amy White), Heather Goins Alexander & husband, J.C. Alexander, Braden Willis, and Graham Willis, and her great grandchildren, Dylan and Lucas Alexander. She is also survived by her sisters, Joyce Lail and husband, Darrell, Elizabeth Carroll and husband, Tommy, and her brother, Bill Leonhardt and wife, Karen.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, 6073 Flay Road, Cherryville, NC 28021, with Rev. Jerry Lail officiating. The family requests that attendees wear a mask and observe social distancing. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church for the playground fund, 201 East Main Street, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092 to Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, 6073 Flay Road, Cherryville, NC 28021.
She graduated from North Brook High School and attended business school in Shelby, North Carolina. She was married to the love of her life, Jimmy R. Lail, and they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this month. Together they raised 2 daughters, Robin and Kristen. She loved shopping and adventure. She and Jim traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Great Britain, and South America while he was employed with Vermont American Corporation. She often served as hostess when Jim was entertaining clients and he always felt that she was his greatest asset. Together, she and Jim established a business, Jim Lail & Associates, Inc., and she retired as Corporate Secretary-Treasurer. She loved to entertain and was a wonderful hostess for many holiday gatherings and often opened her home for tours and receptions to raise funds for causes dear to her heart.
She was inducted into the North Carolina Republican Hall of Fame in 2005. She served one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives and held many positions in the Republican Party, including serving as Chairwoman of the Lincoln County Republican Party from 1998 to 2002. She also had served as the President of the Lincoln County Republican Women’s Club and worked as a campaign chairwoman for Senators Broyhill and Dole, Congressman Alex McMillan and Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner.
She was a member of the Go Go Girls Club, a local garden club, First United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and she was their greatest treasure. She always loved their visits and spoiled them every chance that she had.
She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Jane Carswell. She is survived by her husband Jim; her daughters Robin Goins and husband, Wayne, of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Kristen Willis and husband, Ed, of Lincolnton, North Carolina; her grandchildren Travis Goins (Amy White), Heather Goins Alexander & husband, J.C. Alexander, Braden Willis, and Graham Willis, and her great grandchildren, Dylan and Lucas Alexander. She is also survived by her sisters, Joyce Lail and husband, Darrell, Elizabeth Carroll and husband, Tommy, and her brother, Bill Leonhardt and wife, Karen.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, 6073 Flay Road, Cherryville, NC 28021, with Rev. Jerry Lail officiating. The family requests that attendees wear a mask and observe social distancing. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church for the playground fund, 201 East Main Street, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092 to Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, 6073 Flay Road, Cherryville, NC 28021.
Posted on 02 Feb 2021
Current Information
Contact
125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521