Leonard Rogers Nettles

On May 28, 2026 a big heart failed completely That heart belonged to Leonard Rogers Nettles oldest child of John L. Nettles and Ann R. Nettles, born April 7, 1953 in Florence SC. That big heart spent 7 decades turning strangers into friends and never forgetting them. Our friend took his degrees from The University of South Carolina (where he joined Chi Psi fraternity) into the business world to help in the building of the world of today. He worked for many years for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Atlanta GA providing performance bonds necessary for the big projects we take for granted as signs of progress. His marriage to Hope Jennings Nettles lasted 27 years until she passed too soon. 

and now Leonard has also left us too soon. In retirement, Leonard embraced the things he loved most. Over the past several years, he found great joy on the water, spending countless hours boating, enjoying coastal life. His love of the water was a constant throughout his life and some of his happiest moments, working on boats and fishing. He especially cherished the time he spent with his daughter. Sarah and Leonard spent a lot of time together after Hope’s passing. Leonard taught Sarah how to drive and explore her love of baking. Leonard was a supportive and loving father to Sarah throughout their time together.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Hope Jennings Nettles, and his youngest brother, Sidney Nettles.

Leonard will be remembered for his warmth, his loyalty, his love of the water, and his extraordinary ability to make people feel like lifelong friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his daughter Sarah Joy Nettles, his younger brother Louis (Tami) and his beloved nieces, Ammie Connor Nettles and Sydney Nettles, daughters of his youngest brother Sidney and Sidney’s wife Kyra Hoffmeyer Nettles, both of whom predeceased him. His surviving brother has so many memories of the free range childhood of the 60s and 70s as do the many friends of that era. Those early friends and the friends he met later are legacy of that big heart

Memorials are suggested to the Florence Habitat for Humanity,2117-B West Palmetto St.,PMB #136, Florence, SC 29501