Willene Suarez McLeroy

Willene Suarez McLeroy entered Heaven on the morning of June 11, 2026, stepping into the arms of her Savior.

Willene was a member of Berean Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Robin McLeroy, and her brother, Roderic Suarez.

Willene was born on January 6, 1931, in Dania, Florida. When she was nine years old, her father moved the family to Washington state. During those years, she attended Prairie Bible Institute near Calgary, Canada, for one year. The family later moved back east to Atlanta, where she graduated from Russell High School in East Point, Georgia. After graduation, she attended Crawford Long Hospital School of Nursing.

Her family attended Colonial Hills Baptist Church, where she met Robin “Cap” McLeroy. The two were married in August 1949. After they married, Willene and Robin felt called to serve as missionaries in Japan. They prepared for the mission field by attending Bryan Bible College and Tennessee Temple Bible School. From 1952 to 1972, the couple served in Japan, where they helped plant three churches that continue to share the Gospel today, Hachiogi Kyokai, Kawagoe Seisho Kyokai, and Kamifukuoka Kristo Kyokai. Her years on the mission field remained one of the most meaningful parts of her life.

Willene and Robin returned from Japan in 1972. While Robin served as pastor of Cabaniss Baptist Church, Willene served faithfully alongside him and returned to college to earn her RN from Gordon College. Her talent for painting brought her great joy and helped pay her nursing school tuition. Her artwork earned multiple awards at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. She later worked as a nurse at Coliseum Hospital in Macon and Northside Hospital in Atlanta.

Willene’s gifts extended far beyond her work and ministry. She was a wonderful cook, loved to garden, and had a natural talent for drawing, oil painting, and china painting. She also had a beautiful singing voice that touched those fortunate enough to hear it. Her many talents reflected the full and meaningful life she lived and the joy she found in creating, learning, and doing.

She is survived by her three children, Wren Davis (Paul) of Hilliard, Ohio, Ellen McLeroy of Forsyth, Georgia, and Robin Sears, (Jay) of Macon, Georgia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melanie Gold, Stephanie Hampton, Bryan Davis (Tanja), Katie Poppe (Luke), Tyler Brewer (Morgan), Erin Martin (Rick), Windy Richmond, Jamie Sears (Brooke), and David Sears (Scarlett) along with numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Suarez.

Services will be held at Cabaniss Baptist Church in Forsyth on June 29th at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Joe Bowker officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the mission fund at Berean Baptist Church.

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel, 86 W. Main Street, Forsyth, GA 31029 has charge of the arrangements.