Herbert "Leslie" Graham

Herbert “Leslie” Graham, Sr., age 91, of Natchitoches, La., passed away Saturday, June 7, 2008, in Natchitoches, La. Arrangements are being handled by Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, La., where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday, June 9, 2008. The funeral service will be at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home at 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 10, 2008 , with Rev. Bill Hudson and Rev. Clovis Sturdivant officiating. Interment will be at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, La. Mr. Leslie was born in Creston, La. on August 14, 1916. He attended Northwestern State College in Natchitoches before serving in WWII for three years in the Army Air Corps. After being discharged, he completed his graduate work in Natchitoches where he received his Master’s +30. He met Helen, his wife of 67 years while attending NSC. He was an educator for 42 years, where he held various positions for the Natchitoches Parish School Board including; teacher, principal, business administrator, visiting teacher, lunch room coordinator, and retired as assistant superintendent of schools in 1981. For many years he served as treasurer of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional educators fraternity. He was an active member of Westside Baptist Church for over 62 years, serving as music director for 25 years, and teaching Sunday School classes until his health began to fail. He recently received the title, Deacon Emeritus, after serving on the deacon board for 58 years. He was a founding member of the Joyful Sounds singing group, providing accompaniment with his bass fiddle as they ministered in nursing homes every Thursday. He and close friends played music together for many years. This group later became known as “The Collard Greens.” He enjoyed gardening, singing, and woodworking. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He loved is family, his church, and his Lord, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Graham and Annie Garrett Graham; five brothers, C.C. Graham, Winfred Graham, U.G. Graham, S.L. Graham, and Reginald Graham; and one sister, Aline Eaves. He is survived by his wife Helen Graham; one son, Herbert Leslie Graham, Jr. of New Orleans, La.; one daughter, Patty Walker and husband Wayne of Natchitoches, La.; four grandchildren, Debbie Gillespie and husband Tony of Lacombe, La., Nathan Graham and wife Mary of Dallas, Tx., Jared Walker and wife Melissa of Saint Marys, Ga., and Lesley Anne Jordan and husband Tony of Marthaville, La.; eight great grandchildren, Jeremy Walker, Adam Walker, Hailey Walker, Ethan Gillespie, Kathryn Gillespie, Scott Settle, Kaitlyn Settle, and Audrey Marie Graham; one sister, Ann Hall of Creston, La.; one brother-in-law, Bill Carter and wife Azalee of Sunny Vale, Tx; and a host of nieces and nephews.