Mrs. Leonia Francis Dillard Baines, of Dover, Del., known to family and friends as “Lee,” beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, passed away at her home in Dover on Oct. 1, 2020. She was 90.
A native of Exmore, after living during her earlier adult years in Virginia and New York, Leonia moved to Felton, Del., in 1974. Upon her marriage in the early 1980s, a wife to the late Hilton Baines, she moved to Dover to reside with him until his passing in 2003. She and her late husband served as foster parents for more than 26 years, caring for over 50 children. During her Delaware years, she was a member of Victory Chapel, Union Missionary Baptist Church, and Second Baptist Church, all of Dover.
She is survived by two daughters, Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Wilson and Margaret P. Collins-Leonard; two foster children, Loretta Muntz and Deshon Blue, who Leonia raised as if they were her children; seven grandchildren, Kellee Wilson, Jade Milner, Terence Wilson (Jessica), Mykisha Collins-Atisele (Fidel), Shaka Akeem Garret Collins, Tyree Leonard, and Tahira Leonard; three special nephews, Robert Baines (Margaret), Dr. Tyrone R. Baines (Shereatha), and George Floyd; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
A viewing and Homegoing Service were held on Oct. 10, 2020, at First Pilgrim Baptist Church in Camden, Del. The burial took place later that day at Ebenezer AME Church Cemetery, Capeville.