Leslie Marie Neely

Being the oldest of six, her childhood was filled with adventures at Granny and Grandpa Neelys and Grandma and Grandpa Thompsons homes. Here she helped with chickens alongside her brothers and cousins. Leslie cherished those bus rides to downtown Austin to visit her uncle's shop in the Texas State Capitol. In this time, Leslie and her cousin Laura grew up together, as close as sisters. Laura recalls a story of getting off the school bus in Lakeway expecting to meet Ola, only to discover she wasn't there. With cell phones having barely been invented and no way to make a call, Leslie and Laura did the next best thing, they found a small boat and paddled across the lake to return home. Together they attended Dripping Springs school, they created lasting memories at football games, baseball games, and dances that she carried throughout her life.

Young love found Leslie when she met Kevin Brown in Austin, Texas. This relationship blessed her with her two daughters Krystal and Stephanie. Leslie took immense pride in her girls, often dressing them identically, leading to frequent questions about her "twins." Her new family moved to Craig, Colorado where the girls would be raised. Leslie was always grateful for the relationships she built in Craig with her Brown family including Wanda Brown, Karen Brown, and “Nanny”, Beulah Brown, who had a large part in helping raise Krystal and Stephanie and supported them unconditionally. Years later, Leslie met Kelly Walls, and together they welcomed Keli, known as "Baby Keli." Leslie would joke that Keli might never walk or talk because her big sisters did everything for her when they could. Keli and Leslie began listening to country music while Keli was a toddler and Keli soon became the cutest little singer, often singing Callin’ Baton Rouge and Achy Breaky Heart, word for word. Leslies love for capturing memories was evident in the numerous professional photos she arranged at JCPenney and Kmart, preserving those precious moments with her daughters. Some of those memories included traveling with Leslie, and Granny and Grandpa Neely to Texas and California, visiting family and destinations such as Knott’s Berry Farm, the ocean and Downtown Austin.

Leslie’s love for her daughters was always strong, from taking Krystal to her first country jam on her 17th birthday due to their shared love in country music, or bragging to anyone that would listen about Stephanie being the first in the immediate family to attend college and earn her teaching degree, too showing her photos of young Keli in the Texas Bluebonnets. These memories that will last lifetimes, along with her famous tacos, which have become a family tradition that her children still try to replicate. Leslie always had a smile that could light up any room—a quality she later recognized and cherished in her grandchildren's faces. She adored her grandkids more than anything, as distance always makes things harder, she would cherish every picture and letter they sent, keeping these mementos close to her. Despite the distance she would send little knick knacks and souvenirs to the grandchildren at times, something they can now have to remember forever.

Leslie's heart was kind when it came to family and friends, always ready to help others or "give the shirt off her back" to someone in need. Leslie had many close friends throughout her life and enjoyed activities such as bingo, pull tabs, shooting pool, trying her luck at slot machines, or gambling on horse races. She loved watching football, baseball, and NASCAR. Her favorites being the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Dale Earnhardt. Leslie played softball and later would surprise her daughters with visits to the softball fields in Craig from Texas. Through all of her adventures she held various work positions at Kum & Go, Lakeway World of Tennis, Sunset Meadows, Craig Ford, Dollar Tree and other establishments where she built some of her best and most meaningful relationships. Leslie's favorite work however came when she was able to start work at a small thrift shop, The Merry Miser in Craig, Colorado. She found joy through the collections she would find in the store, which eventually led her into taking over the store as her own.

Leslie's final journey took her to Colorado Springs to be with her daughter Keli, hoping to attend rehab and overcome her personal battles. Leslie brought with her a duffle bag full of treasures her daughters had given her along the way. Though she has left us, we find comfort knowing she is reunited with her beloved mother whom she missed dearly after her passing. Her daughters and grandchildren will carry pieces of her with them every day, in the largest to the smallest of ways. Her children and grandchildren find themselves unable to rest without the hum of a fan. Some of Leslie's favorite artists like George Strait, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio and Jelly Roll will continue to play at gatherings. The simple comfort of a cold Dr Pepper will remain a family shared tradition. These everyday inheritances serve as bittersweet reminders of the woman behind the struggles.

Despite the difficult decisions that had to be made and the distance that grew between Leslie and her family and friends, there remains acknowledgment of the golden heart she possessed in her healthier days. Her passing brings complicated emotions—grief for what was lost long before her death, and perhaps a measure of relief knowing her personal battles have ended and she is at peace. As Leslie comes to her final rest, free from the demons that separated her from those she loved, her family will honor the good memories.

May Leslie now rest in peace, and may those who loved her find healing in remembering both the bright smile of her better days and the lessons learned through loving her completely.

Leslie was preceded in death by her grandparents

Eric and Lottie Neely and Cecile and Ruthie Thompson.

Mother Ola Thompson and father Lester Neely

Aunt Martha Whitehead

Brothers Chad Neely and Clint Bradford

She is survived by her daughters

Krystal (Justin, Marlee (Beau Hellander) and Karson Fedinec)

Stephanie (Lee, Jayden, Kael, Kayselynn and Garrison)

Keli (Chelsea Andries)

Brother Curtis (Ryan Neely)

Sisters Amy (Curtis Harmon) and Blayne Neely

Sister/Cousin Laura (Ray, Anthony, Jennifer and Ashley Tanzini)

Aunts Linda (James Edwards)

Dorothy (Henry Ward)

Cecil (Robby Rose)

And numerous cousins and friends that loved her.