I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has laid you see.

I took His hand when I heard His call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I found the peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joys

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times,

a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart, and peace to thee-

God wanted me now; He has set me free.

Floral Bearers Family and Friends

Acknowledgement

We, the family of Mrs. Leona Bracy

English, wish to express our sincere

heartfelt thanks to all of the medical

professionals who cared for her through

her many health problems. Your calls,

cards, visits, and especially your prayers

will live with our memories of her.

Please continue to pray for us. May God

bless you all.

Services Entrusted To:

\

Mrs. Leona Bracy English

Obituary

Mrs. Leona Bracy English entered this world on September 30, 1941.

She was the beloved and only daughter of Jessie Mae Watts Bracy,

R.N. and Leon Bracy, master brick mason, in Columbia, South

Carolina. She transitioned into eternal life on Monday, July 13, 2020,

at the Heritage at Lowman, after a tenacious battle to recover from

numerous health problems.

Leona was impulsive, kind, and caring. She actually cared for others

more than she cared for herself. She never backed away from a

challenge. However, her bark was usually worse than her bite. In the

spirit of her parents, her home was always open to those who wanted

food, shelter, or just conversation.

She was very civic-minded, always encouraged people to vote! She

was always well informed about city and community activities. She

was a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy.

Leona attended the historical Old Howard School, and graduated from

C. A. Johnson High School, Class of 1959 (the 59ers). She attended N.

C. A&T and Allen Universities. She graduated from the Good

Samaritan-Waverly (“Good Sam”) Hospital School of Nursing, as a

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

During her nursing career, she worked at Beth Israel Hospital, in

Boston, MA, served in the United States Army, and retired from

William Jennings Bryan Dorn V. A. Hospital, in Columbia, South

Carolina, after a forty year Nursing Career.

Her Christian journey started at Zion Baptist Church, later St. Martin de

Porres Catholic Church, Christ Unity Church, then back home to Zion

Baptist Church.

She was married to the late Mitchell Cosby and the late Frank English.

Mrs. Leona Bracy English leaves to share her precious memory: three

sons, Adrian Jerome Cosby, Sayyid Israil Abdur-Rahim, and Malik

Abdul English, all of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, Krystal

Cosby, Adrianna Cosby, Christopher Garmon English, and Makayla

English, all of Columbia, SC; one great-grandchild, Karissa Cosby, of

Columbia, SC; a devoted godsister, Mamietta (Punch) Cain, of

Columbia, SC; her extended family in California, New Mexico, Texas,

Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut; a

host of other loving relatives, and caring friends, all of whom will miss

her dearly.

Memories

A Service of Remembrance Graveside

Monday, July 20, 2020 – 11:00 a.m. “Don’t mourn for me, God has set me free”

Reverend Dr. Cynthia James Walters, Officiating

Associate Minister, Zion Baptist Church

Prelude……..…………………….………Saxophonist Stot Juru

Scripture…….……... Psalms 23………....…Mrs. Jean Hopkins

Prayer………………………....Reverend Dr. Cynthia J. Walters

Reflections…………….C. A Johnson Class of 1959 (the 59ers)

City of Columbia Police Department

Ms. Adrianna Cosby, Family (Grand-daughter)

Selection...……………………….………Saxophonist Stot Juru

Words of Comfort…………… Reverend Dr. Cynthia J. Walters

Committal

Benediction

Selection

Interment

Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens

2603 Two Notch Road

Columbia, South Carolina