Leona Alkire passed away peacefully on May 26th, in Lodi, CA. Leona was born on July 7th, 1934 to Oscar and Lula Hinton in Bokoshe, OK. 

   It is there where she met the love of her life, Bill Alkire, and soon after they were married. Bill and Leona relocated to CA, moving to Manteca in 1960, where she resided for 64 years. There they made a loving home, raising four children. Leona and Bill lived a very rich

life in Manteca, until his passing in 2005.     

   There they raised their four children and were founding members of The Manteca Free Will Baptist Church. Leona worked at Safeway Meat Plant in Stockton and retired from there after a long career. Leona enjoyed dining out and going on long drives. She also loved her trips to Jackson, particularly when she hit a lucky streak. She cherished family get togethers on birthdays,

Thanksgiving and Christmas.

   Leona was preceded in death by her husband Bill, daughter Kay Beaver, granddaughter Sara Pitts-Berner, son-in-law Steve Beaver, son-in-law Helder Avelar, great-grandson Manuel Valim, sisters Neva Thomas and Lorene Tabor, and brothers Jerry Hinton

and Ben Hinton.  She is survived by daughters Sandy Avelar of Manteca, Carla Pitts and husband Rocky of Astoria Oregon, son Larry Alkire and wife Libby of Edmond, Oklahoma, grandchildren Amy Peterman (husband Steve), Libby Callahan (husband Josh), Jessie Valim (husband Junior), Eric Souza,  Zach Avelar, Max Avelar, Alycia Pitts, Billy Pitts, Spike Alkire, and Sabrina Alkire. Leona also had 10 great-grandchildren and many nephews, nieces and friends. Leona was loved by many for her cheerful demeanor. In her later years she loved visits from various friends and family members. She will be missed by all that knew her. 

   A celebration of life for Leona will be held in July with an announcement made pending further details. Special thanks to daughter Sandy Avelar for being her primary caretaker in recent

years. Also thanks to her hospice team and her all her caretakers for the care provided to Leona. 

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Wednesday, May 29, 2024