Helen Knight Leonard, 89, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Gordon Hospice House.

Helen was born on May 27, 1933, in Isle of Wight, Va., to the late Burle and Effie Griggs Knight. She worked for the Suffolk News Herald as a typesetter for many years before retiring.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her first husband, John H. Piland II; her second husband, Ralph Leonard; and her brother, Burle Knight.

Those left to cherish Helen’s memory include her daughter, Debra P. Beasley; son, Jay Piland (Elisha); five grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Holly Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia with Dr. Thurman Hayes officiating. The family will visit with friends following the committal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.