It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that the family of Alpha George Leonard announces her passing on July 14, 2025, in Oklahoma. Alpha was born on August 9, 1941, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to the late Jessica George and James Isidore George.
She attended Dober Elementary School and graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas in 1958 at the age of 16. After graduation, Alpha moved to New York to attend Brooklyn College. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business at the formerly historically Black college of Knoxville College, Tennessee. There, she was an active member of her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, Incorporated.
Alpha was a hardworking and driven woman who worked at several companies and government agencies including at the New York Stock Exchange with Merrill Lynch, the St. Thomas Board of Education, the St. Thomas Legislature for Senators Eric Dawson and Bingley Richardson, and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority. Her 30-year government career culminated with her retirement from the Virgin Island Water and Power Authority.
She was a skillful cook and family entertainer/hostess. She prepared bountiful spreads for holidays or for any given Sunday. Family and friends came for the fellowship and left with a full stomach. When she wasn’t entertaining, Alpha was traveling the world. She visited countries and states on six of the seven continents. Her insight into other cultures and traditions buffered her appreciation and gratitude for life itself.
She accepted Christ as her personal savior almost 50 years ago, and her faith remained strong until the end. She was a member of the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. She attended faithfully until she was unable to do so due to her health. She also attended LifeChurch in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
Alpha is survived by her two children, Wilfred “Sputy” Smith and Janelle (Marlon) Robinson; three grandchildren, Justin (Kisha) Smith, Marquita Robinson, Mariah (Jalin) Johnson; one great grandchild, Jalin Johnson, Jr.; her siblings, Edwin George, Vivian Faulkner, Georgia George; Nieces, Rebecca Faulkner, Kerrie Samona George, Karen (Quincy) George Williams; Nephews, Rudolph Faulkner, Jr., Riel (Yaniris) Faulkner, Ronald (Sara) Faulkner; Cousins, Euranice Chesterfield, Linda Lambertis, Raymond Chesterfield, Jr., Kim Chesterfield Brown, John DeGout, Sr., John DeGout, Jr., Yasmin DeGout, Donia (Raymond) Francis, Enola Fahie, and a host of cousins and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of Life of Alpha George Leonard on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, beginning with Moments of Reflection at 9:30 a.m. followed by her Homegoing Service at 10:00 a.m. at the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Annas Retreat. Interment is at Western Cemetery No. 2.
Her homegoing arrangements were entrusted to the care of Turnbull’s Funeral Home. Condolences and special memories can be shared in the online guestbook for Alpha by visiting: www.turnbullsfuneralhomevi.com.
