Leon Coley was born April 19, 1959 in Wayne County.  He departed this life on Monday evening, October 24, 2016, at the O’Berry Hospice Center, Goldsboro, North Carolina.  He was the son of Lonnie Coley, Sr. and Bertha Edwards Coley, both who preceded him in death.  Two sisters, Bertha Ellen Tate and Frances Coley, and one brother, Lonnie W. Coley, Jr., also preceded him in death.  Leon attended and graduated from Eastern Wayne High School.

Leon began his work life at Burlington Manufacturing Company. After several years, he started working at Express Moving Company.  When he left there, he began working on the Rayburn Daw Farm.  From there, he was employed at Alton Barbeque until his health deteriorated and he was no longer able to continue working.

Leon was a quiet soft -spoken man. He loved watching football.  His favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He also loved cooking barbeque for his family.  This was a skill that he shared with his older brother Lonnie Jr. Leon will be missed greatly by his family and friends.  For the last year of his life, he shared the family home with his brother Morris Lee.  In fact, as Leon’s health deteriorated, Morris Lee became Leon’s primary caretaker, until he was hospitalized. This special love and care was very much appreciated by the rest of the family.

Leon leaves to mourn his loss:  three brothers – Morris Lee, David Lee and Winfred Gerald all of Goldsboro; two sisters – Dorothy Mae Coley (Glenn) of Upper Marlboro, Md. and Wanda Coley Harris (Michael) of Madison, NC; two brothers-in law; his best friend for many years Linwood Smith; a special sister-in-law, Vivian Coley, who was very dear to him; a host of nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and dear friends.