Leona O'Neal-Popnoe

Leona Kathleen O'Neal-Popnoe, 96, of Abilene, passed into the arms of Jesus on June 4, 2024 in Abilene.

Visitation will be 10:00am to 11:00am Thursday, June 6, 2024 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel prior to the services.

Funeral services will be held 11:00am Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Millican officiating. Burial will follow at Atoka Cemetery, Novice Texas. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Leona was born in Novice, TX to Loma E. Stewart Sansom and Otis A. Sansom on November 24, 1927. She attended elementary school at Content and Goldsboro and graduated from Novice High School. Leona married J.C. O'Neal on November 1, 1947 in Abilene, TX. She was a homemaker and enjoyed attending church, sewing, crocheting, gardening, dancing at Rose Park, and spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She lived in Novice and was a member of Novice Baptist Church and played the piano, then after moving to Abilene, she moved her membership to Wylie Baptist Church.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, J.C., on October 7, 1987. She married Jake Popnoe on April 20, 2012.

Leona is survived by her husband, Jake Popnoe of Abilene; her son, Ronnie, and his wife, Carolyn O'Neal of Lubbock, TX; daughter, Debbie, and her husband Olan Beard of Abilene; grandchildren and spouses: Jason (Joy) Beard of View; Kayla (Chris) McCartor of Buffalo Gap; Ricky (Robyn) Beard of Ovalo; Stacie (Eric) Abernathy of Levelland; and Justin (Julie) O'Neal of Lubbock; great-grandchildren, Austin, Jackson, and Luke Beard; James and Emma McCartor; Joshua, Jayden, Jarrett and Abigail Abernathy; and Connor and Keegan O'Neal. She is also survived by nieces, JoAnn Grun and Brenda Jarrell; nephew, Glen Sansom; and her "bonus" daughter, Patti (Jon) Cohen of Azle.

Leona's "bonus" son, Matt Popnoe preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Elsie and brother-in-law, Sam Jarrell; and sister, Viola Sansom; her brother Louis and sister-in-law Lucy Sansom.

Pallbearers will be Jason Beard, Ricky Beard, Chris McCartor, Eric Abernathy, Justin O'Neal. and Glen Sansom.

Memorials may be made to West Texas Rehabilitation Center at www.westtexasrehab.org/donation

or Novice Baptist Church at PO Box 26 Novice, TX 79538

 or the donors preferred charity or organization.

 The family of Leona wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of Kinder Hearts Hospice, Wisteria Place Assisted Living, and Holly Mansur, FNP, for their loving and compassionate care.