Leonard Alexander Gabriel

Remembering Mr. Leonard "Gabe" Gabriel

Mr. Leonard Alexander Gabriel, Jr., 72, of Troutman, was born in Washington, D. C. on November 18, 1947, and was the son of the late Leonard A. Gabriel and Estelle Green Gabriel. He departed this life on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, in Greensboro, N.C. following an extended illness.
Gabe, as we affectionately called him, was exceptionally smart in school and was an avid reader. In fact, he was the selected valedictorian of his class. He was an alumnus of the Unity High School class of 1965. Leonard enjoyed attending social events sponsored by his Alumni Class for many years. Whether it was the annual cookout in August or the Christmas holiday social, he lived life to the fullest. He loved to dance and was a great swing-dancer indeed! He also enjoyed cruising with his wife to the Bahamas or Jamaica with family, friends or members of the alumni chapter.
In addition to watching his favorite Miami Dolphins NFL team, he also enjoyed playing golf, a game of spades competitively and spending time with his grandchildren, especially his namesake, Gabriel. He was much loved by all and will be greatly missed by many.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Gabriel Howard; a sister-in-law, Willene Summers Carson; a nephew, Anthony Howard. He was united in marriage to Paula Dalton Gabriel, who survives.
He leaves to cherish the memory of his life, in addition to his wife, Paula Dalton Gabriel of the home; one son, Marcus L. Dalton of Greensboro; grandchildren, Ashanti Dalton of Statesville, Asa Dalton of Atlanta, Georgia, Purvis Dalton of Raleigh, Marcus Dalton of Burlington, Gabriel Dalton of Greensboro, Jordan Reid of Statesville; two great grandchildren; one sister, Dr. Deborah Gray of Clinton, Mississippi; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Cathy (Walter) Cornelius of Greensboro, Shelia (Kenneth) Boller of Statesville and James Dalton Carson of Corona, New York; nieces and nephews, Jada Howard Greene, Johona Howard and Antione Howard; an aunt, Patricia Haskins of New Jersey; cousins, Orian Holland and Todd (Tracy) Gabriel of Salisbury; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, August 16, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at The Iredell Memorial Park with Dr. J. C. White will officiate and Assistant Pastor Shelia Boller will offer Words of Comfort.

Mr. Gabriel will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home where general public viewing will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 12:00 p.m.until 7:00 p.m., and will resume on Sunday morning, August 16, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. until he is taken to the Park for the funeral service.

There will be social distancing at the Cemetery due to COVID-19.

TO VIEW ONLINE STREAMING OF THE SERVICE...GO TO FACEBOOK TO Bernardeane's Page
AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER YOU CAN VIEW THE ONLINE VIDEO BY CLICKING ON HIS PICTURE ON OUR WEBSITE. GO TO The BOOK OF MEMORIES CLICK ON PHOTOS AND VIDEO. YOU WILL SEE A LINK TO FACEBOOK - THAT'S THE ONLINE VIDEO.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Gabriel at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Gabriel Family.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to, Unity High School Class of 1965 or Hospice of the Piedmont.