Barbara Mitchell Leonard (née Barbara Jo Mitchell) passed away on July 16, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. Born March 22, 1950 to Robert Leonard Mitchell and Jo Ellen Vickers Mitchell in Pensacola, Florida, Barbara grew up in Panama City. She attended the University of Florida as a Tri-Delta sister, worked for the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), moved to Jacksonville in the early ’70s, lived in Ponte Vedra for over 20 years, and spent her final years in Winter Park.
Starting as a secretary, Barbara rose to be the Chief Financial Officer for a large insurance agency in Jacksonville, raising two children as a single mother. She retired early to travel with family and friends. Her favorite trips were shopping in Italy, enjoying the sun in beautiful beach towns, and any trip with her grandsons. In retirement, Barbara continued as an active member of the Pilot Club of Jacksonville, and a supporter of Scouting in honor of her Eagle Scout son-in-law and grandsons. Barbara loved sports of all kinds, enjoying the TPC from its early years, becoming a Bulls fan then a Jaguars fan, and always supporting the Crimson Tide. Barbara created a beautiful life for herself and her family, with a strong will and Southern charm. She leaves a legacy of generosity, unconditional love, and enduring sweetness.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents and her son, Michael W. Leonard, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Carrie Beasley Jones (Craig) of Orlando, her grandsons Craig Lawrence Jones, III of Orlando and Clark Mitchell Jones of Winter Park, her bonus daughter Nicole Wells of Sanford, Florida, and her bonus granddaughter Payton Rodriquez of Winter Park. She also leaves behind her sister Linda Mitchell Morris (Joe) of Newnan, Georgia along with her family, and a large extended Vickers family in Panama City.
The family will hold a private service along Barbara’s beloved Gulf Coast.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your local non-profit Hospice program or the Mayo Clinic for ongoing research in cancer treatments.
