Joe "Leslie" Depriest

Joe ‘Leslie’ DePriest, of Jonesboro, AR, passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at Craighead County Nursing Center at the age of 71.

Joe Leslie was born to parents Robert and Ester DePriest on March 7, 1944. He grew up as the youngest boy of eight children and attended Caruthersville High School. In 1971, he married Marian Carol Cooper in Warrensburg, MO. In 1977, Joe and Carol moved to Poplar Bluff, MO. He taught in the Marketing and Management department at Three Rivers Community College for 29 years and retired in 2000. Joe and Carol moved to Jonesboro in 2010 to be closer to their grandchildren.

Joe Leslie and Carol had two children. He enjoyed sailing, swimming, reading and watching NASA channel. He was actively involved in his grandchildren’s activities, often attending ballgames, swim meets, dance recitals and school programs.

Joe Leslie is survived by his wife, Carol, of the home; daughter, Shawn Drake (Jim); his son, Steven DePriest (Mandi); his sisters, Barbara Roberts, Rachel Bradley, Mary McNabb, Wanda ‘Lucille’ Fabia; his brothers, Eugene and Donald DePriest; three grandchildren, Logan Drake, Caroline Drake and Kiera DePriest. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ester DePriest and sister Nettie Jewel.

A visitation will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday,January 1, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org), Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro. The family of Shawn Drake and Steven DePriest wishes to thank Craighead Nursing Home for all their support.