Leonard Franklin “Bit” Vincent, a good and faithful servant of God, a devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather and great-grandfather, entered into his Heavenly home on Jan. 13, 2021.
Leonard was born and raised in Indianola by Tony and Vera Vincent and always bragged about being a part of the fabulous six siblings – Marie, Sammy, Dieter, Jimmy, Bit and Peter. His best memories of childhood revolved around the family rolling grocery store and playing high school football with his brothers at Indianola High School. He was captain of the football team as were his four brothers.
His work as a lab and x-ray technician led him to Water Valley where he met and married the love of his life, Gertrude Elizabeth Williamson. They were married in 1964 and began their life together in Clarksdale where Leonard worked as a salesman for many years. Leonard and Gertrude have four children, Henry Scotti Vincent (Tammy), Kalista Page Vincent, Stephanie Corinne Vincent Whitworth (Casey) and Leonard Antony “Tony” Vincent (Johnna). He has eleven grandchildren, Holly Kay Vincent Ward (Dusty), Andrew Saia Vincent (Ashley), Vincent Luke Vickers, Erin Elizabeth Reed Alderson (Mike), Anne Rivers Brown Foster (Chad), Hayley Russell Brown Hood (Jake), Hannah Scott Brown, Caleb Rhys Whitworth, Claudia Wagner Vincent, Elizabeth Blake Vincent and Amelia Paige Vincent. He has twelve great-grandchildren, Ella Grace Ward, Attie Reese Ward, Dustin L. Yates Ward, Andrew Tyler Vincent, Justin Bo Vincent, Graysen Elizabeth Harlow, William Bowen Alderson, Emery Ellis Alderson, Gregory Grahm Hood, Paisley Jaye Newsome, Presley Jane Newsome, Vera Chadwick Foster and Thomas Russell Thornton.
Leonard Vincent, known to many as Bit Vincent, Uncle Bit, Daddy Bit and Papaw, loved with his whole heart and nothing less. He loved his family, loved his Catholic faith and was an active member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Clarksdale. Most of all he loved the Lord, served Him in many capacities and devoted much of his time making sure his family walked by faith. He prayed the rosary daily for his family and loved ones. He was an artist, an eloquent writer, talented wood crafter and enjoyed cultivating beautiful plants and flowers in his yard. He could carve a stump of wood into anything he desired and generously shared his pieces with whoever wanted/needed one.
His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his brother, Peter Vincent, of Eure, N.C., and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank his many doctors, nurses and health care providers, especially the entire team at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, who took care of him, loved him and made him comfortable until his last breath. Your unending devotion and thoughtful service was noticed and very much appreciated! We would also like to thank Burton Funeral Home for his final tender love and care and the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church family and loved ones for the many prayers offered up for us and him!
A private family graveside will be held Monday, Jan. 18 at Indianola City Cemetery.
Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth's Catholic School, 150 Florence Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614.
The online guestbook may be signed at www.burtonfuneralhome.net
