Mrs. Leona (Overholt) Kurtz, 78, of Hartwell, Georgia, passed away May 8, 2017, at her home. She was surrounded by her husband and children and two of her loving caregivers.

She was born on January 6, 1939, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late William and Millie (Jones) Overholt. On December 27, 1969, she married Nelson L. Kurtz, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Samuel (Bonnie) Kurtz of Los Angeles, California, a daughter, Carolyn Kurtz of Lavonia, Georgia; four grandchildren, Loren, Megan, Ashlyn, and Allison Kurtz; two brothers, Henry (Matilda) Overholt of Montezuma, Georgia, Joe (Sadie) Overholt of Jesup, Georgia, brother-in-law Eldon Swartzentruber, Mifflinburg, Pa, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Thomas and William (Bill) Overholt, a sister and brother-in-law, Anna Mae and Jesse Yoder, twin sister Leora Swartzentruber, and a sister-in-law, Verda (Henry) Overholt.

Leona lived a full life of service to others. In 1968, she graduated from nursing school as an LPN. From 1968-1970, she worked as a nurse at Sunnyside Nursing Home in Sarasota, Florida. In 1971, she moved with her husband to Waynesboro, Georgia, where she served others in her home as well as their church community. In 1993, Leona and Nelson moved to Hartwell, Georgia, where she served Choice Book VS'ers who lived in their home as well as others in the church community. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking for the ones that came to their home. In her early years of living in Hartwell, she was known in the community as "the bread lady" to those who purchased her fresh bread and cinnamon rolls.

As Leona's health began to decline and she could no longer serve, she began a ministry of encouraging those she came in contact with. She passed out hundreds of CDs of inspirational music and note cards with the phrase "I trust you, Jesus, in response to whatever happens to me today." She delighted in hearing how these note cards and CDs had ministered to others. Leona wrote many cards and letters to friends serving on the mission field and to those who were sick. When she went to town she looked for those who seemed sad or underprivileged, and made a point to speak an encouraging word to them. She was bold in her witness for Christ and of His gift of salvation. Leona loved being with her friends and especially enjoyed meeting them at a restaurant for a meal.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Hartwell Mennonite Church gym. Family will receive friends on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM.The casket will lie in state open one hour prior to the service.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hartwell Mennonite Church Mission Fund, 2080 Friendship Rd, Hartwell, GA 30643 or to Southern Care Hospice Services, 825 Baxter Street, Athens, GA 30605.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.