Augusta Lauderdale

Augusta Leonard Lauderdale

January 21, 1925 – July 26, 2026

Augusta was born in1925 in the small rural community of Hissop, Alabama to Willie Franklin Leonard and Claude Mitchell Leonard. She was the third oldest of nine children.

While growing up in Alabama she would often have to miss school so she could work in the fields picking cotton. She graduated from Coosa County JD Thompson Training High School, Cottage Grove Alabama at the top of her class. It was her desire to attend college following graduation, due to lack of resources and educational opportunities for Black girls which were very scarce in those days.

At a “May Singing” church social event during WWII, Augusta first noticed Edward, a sailor home on furlough from the Navy. They would eventually marry and have three children, Joel, Benjamin, and Sylvia. Like many families during the Great Migration era, Augusta and Edward moved north in search of better opportunities for their family. They shared 48 years of marriage until Edward’s passing in 1992.

After settling in Columbus Ohio in 1955, Augusta eventually began working at The Ohio State University Hospital in the newborn baby nursery. She remained there until her retirement in 1984. Following retirement, she became active with Shiloh Baptist Church auxiliaries helping with community and outreach initiatives to support underserved populations.

At Shiloh Baptist Church she held membership in the EB Delaney Missionary Society, B&P Missionary Society, The Los Amigos Club, Women’s Chorus, Voices Choir, Shiloh Sunday School; and in later life she served on the Shiloh Baptist Church Deaconess Board.

Some of her favorite pastimes that she enjoyed when she was able included walking, gardening, sewing, attending cultural community events, and travel. She continued until she was no longer physically able. She kept up with current events by reading the newspaper daily and watching local, and cable news.

She was an integral part, and influence in helping to raise her “one and only” grandchild, Adia, while providing financial assistance as she matriculated through college. This was truly one of her greatest joys! She loved and adored her three great grandchildren: Reagan, Rylie, and Ryan. Just hearing about whatever was going on in their lives always brought a smile to her face.

Augusta was preceded in death by her parents Willie and Claude Leonard; husband, Edward Lauderdale; sister, Vallie Goggans; brothers; Plesby, David, Charles, Earlie and John Leonard; daughter-in-law, Cleopatra Moore Lauderdale; Son-in-law, John Henry Carter III; Brothers-in-law, Lt. Col. Ret. Holman Edmond, Rev. Jack R. Marbury, Samuel Goggans, Azo Lauderdale, Lathon Lauderdale, Alfonso Lauderdale, Alonzo Lauderdale, Ruben Lauderdale; sisters-in-law, Roberta Johnson, Ethel Lauderdale, Helen Lauderdale, Eddie Lauderdale, Ella Mae Lauderdale, Uvella Lauderdale, Rebecca Leonard.

She leaves to cherish her memory; sons, Joel and Benjamin Lauderdale; daughter, Sylvia Lauderdale Carter; granddaughter, Adia Carter Holmes (Elisha Ryan); great-grandchildren, Reagan Janae, Rylie Renee, Ryan Carter; sisters, Lee Dorothy Edmond, Loretta Marbury; sisters-in-law; Lillian Leonard, Loretta Leonard; brother-in-law, Darnell Lauderdale; and many many nieces, nephews and friends.

She exhibited genuine kindness, caring and compassion, generosity, peacefulness, intuitiveness, dignity, and an unexpected sense of humor! She was often asked the question: “what are some of your secrets of longevity?” her response was usually ‘Trust and have faith in God’s will for your life, and do not worry about those things that you have absolutely no control over.”

Augusta was an example and role model for children, siblings, and the entire family. She was a beacon of light and rock for our family over the years. She was loved and a blessing to have her in our midst, and she will be sorely missed. Today we celebrate and honor a life well lived. Well done, good and faithful servant!