Leonard Lewis Tessnear, age 83, of Forest City

Leonard Lewis Tessnear, age 83, of Forest City, passed away February 1, 2026.

Leonard was born 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 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 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, 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 11 great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be conducted at 1pm Thursday, February 5 at Grace Chapel with Rev. Ricky Poteat, Rev. Paul McGinnis and Rev. Ted Blankenship officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors being provided by the Rutheford County Honor Guard.

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

An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.