Leonna Y. Ware

Leona Louise Yelton Ware, 81, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at River Edge Rehabilitation and Nursing in Waynesboro.

She was born on November 1, 1944, in South Carolina to the late Andrew Luther and Undean Peterson Yelton.

Leona was a graduate of Bridgewater College. She earned her bachelor’s degree before beginning a career as a primary education teacher at Beaufort County Public Schools in South Carolina. After moving to Virginia, she had a long career as a teacher with Augusta County Public Schools and taught at Churchville, Verona, and Riverheads, where she touched the lives of countless students and families. She had a genuine love for teaching and believed every child deserved patience, and the opportunity to succeed. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom, and the impact she made on Augusta County Public Schools will be remembered for generations.

Outside of her career, Leona embraced life with curiosity and creativity. She was an avid reader and enjoyed expressing her artistic talents through stained glass and oil painting. She loved spending weekends exploring yard sales, antique shops, and auctions, always searching for unique treasures.

Leona also believed in staying active. She enjoyed working out at the YMCA for many years and always found pleasure in taking daily walks for exercise, ecspecially with her two dogs, Gracee and Addi.

Travel was one of her greatest passions. She especially cherished traveling overseas, where she explored Scotland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Closer to home, she looked forward to trips to New England, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Skyline Drive each autumn to witness the brilliant colors of the fall foliage at its peak – a tradition that brought her immense joy and lasting memories.

She is survived by her husband, Roy “RW” Wilkerson Ware, Jr.; her sons, Kevin “Chris” Christopher Ware and his wife, Jackie and Jason Matthew Ware and his wife, Julia; her brother, Steven A. Yelton and his wife, Teresa “Resa”; her sisters, Winona “Winnie” Mesko and her husband, Charlie and Theresa “Resa” Park and her husband, Tim; her grandchildren, Katharine A. Ware, Cameron C. Ware, Zachary A. Ware, and Elodie G. Ware.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Floyd Yelton.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.