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Deacon Leo Bookman was born on July 26, 1940, in Huntsville, Texas to parents Herman and Reo Bookman. He was the eldest of eight children. As a child, his parents taught him important life skills such as the importance of hard work, discipline, perseverance and self-sacrifice. He worked long hours with his father — harvesting rice and other crops — and operating heavy farm equipment. In fact, that is how he got his nickname, “Man”. One day a group of men noticed an 8 year old boy operating a huge tractor and hooking up a plow effortlessly. They commented “he handles himself like a man”. And the nickname stuck. At times, Deacon Bookman wasn’t able to attend school with his friends because he had to work. When he did attend classes as a young boy, it was in a two-room school in Manvel, Texas. Eventually, he attended Dunbar High School in Dickinson…where he excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. Once, he ran five touchdowns in one game. It was at Dunbar High that Deacon Bookman met a pretty young girl who asked him to buy her a popsicle. Her name was Angeline Bookman. They were married for 63 years. Deacon Bookman was a father of five and a grandfather of eight. Among his favorite pastimes: doing paint and body work on cars at his own business, Leo’s Paint and Body Shop, a fixture in the community. Deacon Bookman was also an avid sports fan ,and there was practically no team or sport he didn’t enjoy watching. After retirement from 30-plus years in the petro-chemical industry, Deacon Bookman could be found daily attending to his duties at Mount Olive. He was the Chairperson of the Deacon Board and the church treasurer. He also headed the Finance Committee, Church Administration, the Transportation Committee, and oversaw church maintenance. Deacon Bookman was an active participant in Brotherhood and Sunday School and was always present and assisting at all church events. He was not a man of many words; his actions spoke for him. On June 8, 2026, Deacon Bookman went home to be with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his wife, Angeline; his parents Herman and Reo Bookman; and his siblings: Zena Allen, Ermus Bookman, and Patricia Bradley. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: daughters, Sandra Bookman (Savio), Bridget Walton, Angela Bimage (Anthony), and Pamela Presley (Walter); son, Leo Bookman Jr. (Brooklyn); grandchildren, Niles Brantley, Brad Turner, Walter Presley Jr., Shayla Bimage, Waylon Presley, Anderson Bookman, Chaiyah Bookman and Brooks Bookman; siblings, Velvia Humphrey, John Bookman, Henry Bookman and Herman Bookman Jr.; niece, Carol Ann Hill; and a host of beloved relatives and friends.

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Deacon Leo Bookman

July 26, 1940 - June 8, 2026