After spending 33 years working for the Internal Revenue Service, Jackie Leonard was used to resolving problems, making plans and following procedures. But, no amount of professional experience could have prepared her for the painful personal journey she would undertake in her 50s.
Rather than giving up, Jackie turned her trials into testimony. Today, she is a published author, a committed volunteer and a strong voice for women navigating abuse, divorce and renewal.
“I tell people all the time, my life didn’t end at 50. It actually started,” Jackie explained. “This has been the most fulfilling and faith-filled season of my life.”
A bold break from a painful past
Jackie grew up in Ferriday, La., as the oldest of seven siblings. After college, she moved to Illinois, where she eventually married and started working at the IRS. Her career spanned more than three decades, including 20 years in management.
But, behind the scenes, Jackie was struggling in a toxic marriage filled with verbal and physical abuse.
“One black eye is too many,” she said. “I finally said to myself, ‘You are not my parents. You don’t get to hit me. You also don’t get to speak to me like that.’”
With quiet determination, Jackie made a plan. She waited until her husband was on a midnight shift, loaded up her vehicle with clothes, and left Illinois bound for Texas with her aunt. Very few people knew what she was doing. She moved in silence, determined to reclaim her dignity.
As one final act of closure, she left her wedding dress at the curb for pickup on garbage day.
“When he came home, it was sitting there with the pictures of us,” she recalled. “I had the last laugh.”
Writing her way toward healing
After settling in Texas, Jackie began journaling more intentionally as a way to process her emotions and to reconnect with God. What began as a personal practice blossomed into her first book, “Positive Words for Painful Times: Triumph Through Divorce.”
The book, released in 2022, tells the story of how God sustained Jackie through heartbreak. Each chapter includes scripture references and lessons Jackie learned through difficult experiences.
The chapter titles reveal her hard-won perspective, such as “Trials and Tribulations Made Me Better” and “You Can’t Have a Victory Without a Fight.”
“I wanted women to know they are not alone,” Jackie explained. “God doesn’t want his daughters to be abused. He wants us to live in peace. And if he brought me through it, he will bring you through it, too.”
The response to Jackie’s book was very positive. Many women reached out to say her words echoed their own experience.
For example, one reader told her, “It felt like you were telling my story.” Another woman said reading the book helped her leave an abusive relationship and gave her hope for a better future.
“That’s when I knew I hadn’t just written a book; I had also created a lifeline for others,” Jackie said.
Living her best life
Encouraged by the impact of her first book, Jackie began working on a second one. Titled “L.O.L: Loving Our Lord – Walking in God’s Goodness,” it is a joyful reflection on what it means to thrive after pain. While her first book chronicled the storm, her second one celebrated the sunshine that followed.
“After the divorce, I realized I was living my best life,” Jackie said. “I had a deeper relationship with God. I had peace and a sense of purpose. More importantly, I was surrounded by love.”
That love included a renewed relationship with a man she had dated in college. Jackie and Mitchell eventually married, and they have now been together for over a decade. She describes him as calm, respectful and deeply supportive of her life and passions.
“He lets Jackie be Jackie,” she explained. “He doesn’t try to change me. He just supports me. That is one of the things I love most about him.”
Together, they enjoy trips back to Louisiana, where Jackie continues to care for her parents. She travels home regularly to run errands, drive her mother to dialysis and spend time with her large, close-knit family.
Jackie sees this as a privilege, not a burden, especially now that she has the resources and freedom to help.
Finding joy in small things
Jackie embraces everyday life with a spirit of gratitude and celebration. She journals daily by writing down five to 10 words about what she is most thankful for. Sometimes, it is something simple, like her grandson finishing school or a peaceful walk she enjoyed on a nature trail. Other times it is a reminder of God’s provision, such as traveling mercies, answered prayers or healing for a loved one.
“Gratitude keeps me grounded,” Jackie said. “It reminds me that God has already given me so much. I don’t need anything more to be happy. I just need to appreciate what I already have.”
Her favorite places to visit include women’s gyms, Tuesday sales at Ross, and secluded trails where she walks and talks to Jesus. Jackie is quick to laugh, quick to encourage, and even quicker to point others toward their own path to healing.
“I don’t need anyone to go with me to the gym or the movies. I enjoy doing things by myself,” she said. “I love doing things with others, too, but I just don’t wait for people to make me happy. That’s my job.”
Serving others with compassion
One of Jackie’s greatest joys is volunteering. She serves meals at the Star of Hope shelter for women and children, and she also helps sort donations at Goodwill. Soon, she plans to begin volunteering regularly at a local nursing home, especially after learning how many residents rarely receive visitors.
Her service was recognized in April when she received an award from the shelter for her dedication. But, Jackie said she doesn’t do it for praise or recognition.
“I just want people to know they are not forgotten,” she said. “Jesus told us to serve the least of these. So, that is what I’m trying to do.”
Jackie is especially moved by how her books have opened doors for conversations with people who would never have shared their stories with anyone. She believes storytelling is a form of ministry, and she wants to help others embrace their own voice.
“Once you get past the embarrassment and personal pride, your story can truly help somebody else,” she explained. “You didn’t go through all that pain for no reason. God can use it.”
Pointing others toward hope
Now 61, Jackie says her life is richer than it has ever been. She feels mentally, spiritually and emotionally stronger than she did in her 30s and 40s. She laughs more, cries less and embraces opportunities to give back.
Her advice to others over 50 is to stop waiting for permission and start doing whatever brings them joy.
“Do what makes you happy, not what someone else tells you to do,” she explained. “Whether it’s working out, volunteering or just going to the movies, do what makes you smile.”
Jackie is currently focused on promoting both of her books, which are available on Amazon and through her website at www.aqueensvictory.wixsite.com. She also sells signed copies directly through Facebook.
Looking back, Jackie has no regrets, only gratitude.
“I should have paid more attention to the warning signs,” she admitted. “But even with the hard times, I have lived a good life. God has taken care of me every step of the way. And I will spend the rest of my life telling people just how good he really is.”
For more information
People can connect with Jackie in a variety of ways, including:
- Website = www.aqueensvictory.wixsite.com
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068667701699
Jackie’s books, “Positive Words for Painful Times: Triumph Through Divorce” and “L.O.L: Loving Our Lord – Walking in God’s Goodness” are available on Amazon and through her website.
If you buy one of Jackie’s books from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.