A native of Ingram Branch, WV., and the son of the late Leonard and Martha Carey Evans, Leonard was a 1957 graduate of Stratton High School in Beckley, WV. During that time, he was one of the first African American to play baseball in the all white Babe Ruth and Post Lodge 32 leagues in Beckley. As a youth, he was baptized at Ingram Grove Baptist Church in Ingram Branch and later joined the Welcome Baptist Church in Beckley. A highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, he was honorably discharged and retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service. He was a member of the DAV Chapter 56.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine Wright.

Surviving are a loving and devoted wife of 35 years, PO1(Ret) Queen Esther Evans; three sons, Dean Peterson, Ernest Evans(Estelle) and Gregory Evans; two daughters, Angela Evans and Natisha Evans; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren; four sisters, Hazel Harris(Lee), Bernice Taylor, Dorothy Denson and Martha Montgomery(William); his mother-in-law, Van Esther Cannon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives and friends to include a devoted friends, Angela Jamison.