Thomas Russell 'Les' Lesley

Thomas Russell "Les" Lesley, 76, of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday, July 18, 2011, at John L. McClellen VA Medical Center in Little Rock.

Born in Mooreville, Miss., to Dugan and Gracie Davis Lesley, he was a retired truck driver who was also employed by the Blytheville Public Works Department.

Mr. Lesley was a veteran of the U.S. Army's 7th Armored Division and enjoyed listening to old country gospel and playing his guitar. He also loved every animal that came along. He was a devoted husband of 47 years to Della Faye (Strop) Lesley and was also a devoted father, who loved working in his yard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy and Treeman Lesley; and sister-in-law, Frances Strop.

He leaves his wife

Two children, Marsha Faye and Donald Russell Lesley of Blytheville;

A brother, Truman Lesley of Mississippi; and

Two sisters, Nettie Lou Langley and Linda Blankenship of Mississippi.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Billy Ray Moore officiating. Burial will be in Bassett Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Cobb Funeral Home. Condolences may be emailed to cobbfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net