Leona Mendie Wollesen

Renown and Beloved Cobb County Centenarian Leaves Immeasurable Legacies Most sadly Mendie Leona (McGilberry) Wollesen suffered a severe fall on July 06, 2021 in her Marietta home. After a tedious battle to recover and regroup, Leona Wollesen would join our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on the, morning of July 14, 2021) at Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, Georgia. Leona Wollesen of Marietta has been a regular subject for media coverage\articles over many years as exemplifying a role model for actively supporting one’s health along with a solid work ethic as being the best prescriptions for longevity - all inter related. *54 years of consecutive full time employment not retiring from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia until she was 85 years old (oldest in the company at that time) * Since retirement actively remaining on her computer 7 days a week, connecting, researching, and communicating with others (few of our elderly on the computer much less being active on a daily basis) * While still an employee, she co founded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Retiree Association (The Ambassadors) almost (30) years ago (the 30 year anniversary this October 2021) - its only Executive Director from inception continuing to date (the only woman over 95 years in the country to hold any such corporate based nonprofit leadership position) *Aside from her many activities in support of others was over 25 years with The Red Hat Ladies of Cobb County (as well other states). *Countless years as a member of the non denominational “Live Life & Love It” luncheon group” meeting monthly at the Smyrna First Baptist Church * In addition throughout full time employment periods and afterward, she actively campaigned for and served as a volunteer in virtually every major Republican candidacy within Georgia and Cobb County over the last 50 years until she became partially disabled (mobility within the last two years) (still actively campaigning from her office – on the computer seven days a week); In 2019 the entire Cobb County Republican Party publicly recognized her contributions and longevity at the Cobb County Republican Barbeque with two dozen roses for good measure with standing applause\ovations throughout the entire Cobb County Civic Center – see, Cobb County rolls out the red carpet for Leona Wolleson's 99th birthday - Sally Litchfield – Marietta Daily Journal Leona in fact had been there from the very beginning of the Republican Independence Day Barbeque events almost 35 plus years ago including her appearance this year (2021) – indeed embraced by our Governor Kemp and his wife, Marty Kemp, upon her arrival (see photo – also published by Marietta Daily Journal, Tuesday, July 06, 2021(page 3)) Throughout the prior years (as above noted) she received congratulatory birthday messages annually from Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump as well most of Georgia’s governors, Congressional senators and representatives. She has been a virtual Republican icon in her unwavering support for senior citizens, veterans, and supporting traditional ethical values that would unite all Americans. One would hope and pray that her legacies for actively supporting one’s health along with a solid work ethic and positive commitments to make a difference for others will endure. May she rest in peace having lived an exemplary life always attempting create positive outcomes for everyone she encountered. Leona was lifetime Presbyterian and servant of God, formerly of Peachtree Presbyterian, Atlanta, and after retirement a member at First Presbyterian Marietta, Marietta, Georgia. Mendie Leona (McGilberry) Wollesen (August 05, 1920 – July 14, 2021) was born in Banner, Alabama (town no longer exits – northwest of Birmingham) – Father (deceased) Bryant McGilberry and Mother (deceased) Mary Jane (Wordlaw) McGilberry. Her brothers - James McGilberry (deceased) Childersburg, Alabama and Marion McGilberry (deceased) Trussville, Alabama. Her only daughter (deceased) Bonnie Ellen (Wollesen) Langford (May 30, 1944 – September 21, 2016) St Simons Island, Georgia Leona is survived by her son, Woodrow D. Wollesen (Marietta, GA)and his two children (her grandchildren) Katie Lee (Wollesen) O’Connor (New York City, NY) – great grand daughter – Teagan O’Connor (NYC, NY) and Matthew Bryant McGilberry Wollesen (Charlotte, NC) Son-in- law, Vernon Langford (St Simons Island, GA) and his children (her grand children) Mendie (Langford) Lange (Woodstock, GA) – great grand sons Mason and William Lange (Woodstock GA) Scott Langford (Douglasville, GA) (his eight (8) grand children) Terri (Langford) Martin (Clarksville, TN) (their children and grandchildren) Not to be left out, Leona’s beloved and faithful dogs – Rocky and Rosie (Marietta, GA) Remembrance Services for Leona to be held on Friday, October 01, 2021 (12:00 noon) at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, https://fpcmarietta.org/ - 189 Church Street | Marietta, Georgia 30060 Visitation lunch/gathering – location to be soon announced – see Leona’s Facebook web site There will be a second grave side service in Birmingham (Forest Hills Cemetery - Mom to be interred next to her mother and father) to be announced later in October for those in Birmingham not wishing to attend the Marietta, Georgia services In lieu of flowers Mom and I would request donations in her name to the following: *First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, https://fpcmarietta.org/, 189 Church St #1629, Marietta, GA 30060 / 770-427-0293 or *The COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Miami, Florida 333134 (866-731-2673) https://www.copdfoundation.org/ or *Consider planting your favorite flower, bush, or tree as an ongoing, forever remembrance of Mom and her legacies (Mom loved roses (all varieties the deeper the red the better), azaleas, and pink dogwoods (we have them all right here in her yard) Please be advised that further updates and/or announcements respecting services will be posted on Mom’s Facebook site - https://www.facebook.com/leona.wollesen God Bless.