Leonard Lewis Tessnear

Leonard Lewis Tessnear, age 83, of Forest City, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Leonard was born Thursday, January 14, 1943 in Rutherford County to the late Ernest Tessnear and Ruby Hollifield Tessnear. He was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1962 and had an earned associate’s degree from Isothermal Community College. Leonard served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served on the USS Reclaimer during the war. He later worked for Cone Mills and Burlington. Leonard was a member of Grace Chapel in Forest City. He enjoyed going to Gospel singings and was known for his easy-going spirit.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wives, Patricia Ileen White Tessnear and Judy Spicer Tessnear and a brother, Howard “Buster” Tessnear.

Those left to cherish his memory includes his wife, Linda Gosey Tessnear; children, Paula Phillips (Pam) of Concord, NC, Chris Tessnear (Amanda) of Forest City, Neva Glawson (Chris) of Ellenboro, Tim Parker (Vivian) of Henrietta, Lynn Raye of Forest City, Allen Williams (Pam) of Forest City and Robert Williams of Mooresboro; a sister, Frances Smith of Forest City; grandchildren, Miranda Tessnear, Morgan Layton, Jeremy Parker, Tyler Parker, Allen Parker, Shanna Glawson, Josh Wyatt, C.J. Glawson, Andy Raye, Ben Williams, LeAnn Williams, Brandy Raye, Jason Price, Mackensey Williams, Cole Williams and eleven great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 5th at Grace Chapel with Reverend Ricky Poteat, Reverend Paul McGinnis and Reverend Ted Blankenship officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors being provided by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. At other times they will be at his daughter’s home, 1491 Oak Grove Church Road, Ellenboro, NC 28040.

Memorial donations are requested to Grace Chapel, 121 Mitchell Extension, Forest City, NC 28043 or to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.