Leonard Nugent

Leonard (Lennie) Edward Nugent died on Friday, September 16, 2022, at his home in Colonial Heights.

Lennie is survived by his wife, Lynn Nugent; five children, Gwendolyn Throckmorton, Kristine Carlile, Amy Hale (Allen), Danielle Martin (Benjamin), and Lyndsy Nugent (Brandie); eight grandchildren, John Elliott (Jackie), Taylor (Josh), Hannah, Nathan, Michaela, Jackson, Landon and Olivia; three great grandchildren, Peyton, Harper and Ellsa; and very dear friend, Mary Ramey.

Lennie was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Nugent Jr. and Rose Hogwood Nugent; maternal grandparents, Samuel and Bernice Hogwood; paternal grandparents, Eddie and Katie Nugent; father and mother-in-law JC and Joyce Smith; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In life, Lennie’s three loves were Jesus, his family, and sports.  He and Lynn served two churches during their 45 years of marriage, Wesley Chapel where he was a Local & Certified Lay Speaker and The Heights (Colonial Heights) Baptist Church.  There, Lennie led the church’s prison ministry and Angel Tree project, served on the Capital Campaign Team, and brought his comedic talents to the annual Christmas pageant for 10 years.

After high school, Lennie worked for Brown & Williamson before a 25-year career in sales.  While working in sales, he began volunteering for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) before joining their staff in 2002 where he served our area’s youth for 17 years, the last 10 as an Area Director.

Over the years, Lennie was involved in many activities.  He played and coached men’s softball from his early 20’s into his 50’s, winning a combined three state championships as a player or coach and in 1971 he was a part of the Virginia State Doubles Bowling Championship team.  Lennie was a member and past president of the Cavalier Athletic Company, and selected member of the year.  Lennie coached boys’ youth recreation baseball and girls’ softball and served as the Matoaca Youth Athletic Association Baseball Director.  Lennie served on the Board of Directors for Steve Freeman Ministries and volunteered his time and talents as a consultant to CARES of Petersburg.   In 2015 Lennie was commissioned into the FCA ministry.

In 2012, after being diagnosed with heart failure, Lennie’s heart was replaced by a Total Artificial Heart (TAH) before receiving the gift of a donated heart in December.  After recovering from his heart transplant, Lennie volunteered at VCU’s Pauley Heart Center counseling and encouraging TAH and transplant patients.  He and his family participated in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk 5k, the first time just 9 months after his transplant.  Lennie shared his testimony of living with his artificial heart and transplant through speaking with church and civic organizations and through the book “A New Heart” he wrote along with his wife, Lynn.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Lennie at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at The Heights Baptist Church, 17201 US-1, S. Chesterfield, VA. His family will receive family and friends one hour prior to the service from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Lennie's name to FCA Appomattox Basin Region at https://www.fcaappbasin.org/donate . The family is being served by E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.