Annette Katherine Fralix Leonard

Annette Katherine Fralix Leonard, 88, of West Columbia, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Her Graveside Service will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024 in the Riverview Memorial Park, 3715 Azalea Drive, at 1:00 pm. 

Annette was born November 19, 1935, to the late James Theodore Fralix, Sr. and Ellen Henrics Fralix. Annette was the third child in a family of nine children. While they weren’t wealthy, they were truly rich in love. There was always enough to share with others, and Annette grew up with that spirit of sharing and giving established in her heart.

She attended Chicora High School and was employed and retired in 1987 from Southern Bell Telephone Company after 27 years of service. She was an operator at one time, and then a dispatcher. She met her husband, Charles Douglas Leonard, Sr., from Missouri, when he was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, in the Air Force. They married on March 2, 1959, and went on to have four children.

Annette truly loved her hometown of Charleston, but followed her husband to Columbia, South Carolina when he took a job there. She tried to get back to Charleston as much as possible and always had a special place in her heart for anything and anyone connected to that city. It is with a heavy heart that we return her to her hometown, but we know that is what she would want. 

In addition to her job, she was involved with the Southern Bell Pioneers. She was also a member of Charleston BPO Does. Her main hobby, however, was her family. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. When she wasn’t at work, she was primarily with her family.

She had a servant’s heart and lived to serve and help her family and friends in any way possible. She loved to make people happy. She owned a house at Folly Beach, South Carolina. While she very rarely visited the house herself, it made her happy to see her children, family and friends get to enjoy it. She was very generous and would give her last dollar to someone if she thought they were in need. She thought about herself last in all situations. She supported St. Jude’s for years because she couldn’t stand to think of little children suffering.  

Annette was a wonderful cook. Her son-in-law would say that she could take practically no ingredients and make a great feast. She was particularly well known for her fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, milk gravy, and for her pancakes.  

Annette was predeceased by her husband, Charles Douglas Leonard, Sr.; her father, James Theodore Fralix, Sr.; her mother, Ellen Henrics Fralix; sisters, Barbara Fralix Hill, Joan Fralix Payne, Marlene Fralix Knight; brothers, Herbert Fralix, James T. Fralix, Jr. and Robert Fralix. She is survived by her children, Tracey Leonard Huff (Larry), Charles Douglas Leonard, Jr. (Susan), Melissa Leonard Mallory (Bobby) and Kelly Leonard Anderson (David); eleven grandchildren, Matthew Huff, Megan Leonard Harness, Charles Douglas Leonard, III, Lydia Leonard, Paul Leonard, Chip Mallory, Ashley Mallory Lindler, Kathryn Mallory Smith, Natalie Mallory, David Michael Anderson, Jr., Dylan Anderson; sisters, Deborah Fralix Vergere (John), Deloris Fralix, Shirley Fralix; brothers, Henry Fralix (Ann) and Bobby Payne. She also is survived by ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. 

Dealing with dementia is a long, hard battle, but her family was lucky to have special caregivers to help us along the way. We would like to thank Sandy Harper, Linda Speer, Jenny Weatherford, Kathyrn Mallory Smith, Brie Tanner, Alenda Green, April Faulk, and Carolyn Devaux. We truly could not have done it without your help and support. We would also like to thank Heart of Hospice.

Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Church of the Good Shepherd, Charleston, South Carolina.