Ophelia “Gee Gee” Leslie, 97, passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2019.
Ophelia Marie Pitts was born to the late Jim and Lizzy Pitts of Chattanooga, Tn.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Marion G. Leslie; her daughter, Saundra Leslie Green, Douglasville, Ga., and her sister, Jimmie Wilks of Boston, Ma.
Ophelia attended Howard High School, class of 1939, and always had a passion for working with children. She worked many years at Orange Grove Center. However, in 1974 she was easily persuaded to partner with her daughter Diane and open a family-owned business (Kandy Kastle Day Care), where she nurtured and loved her babies for over 20 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church on East 8th Street for many years.
Those left to cherish many loving memories are her daughters, Diane (Gerald) Mason, Chattanooga, TN, Adrienne Bailey, Memphis, TN and Valerie Brown, Chattanooga, TN; son-in-law, James Larry Green, Douglasville, GA; grandchildren, Eric Boyd, Chattanooga, TN, Traci Green, Douglasville, GA, Terrence (Tonya) Green, Douglasville, GA, Justin (Renee) Bailey, Memphis, TN, Merritt Bailey, Memphis, TN, Mignon (Thomas) Kenton, Chattanooga, TN, Brooke Mason, Chattanooga, TN, Gerald Mason, Jr., Chattanooga, TN and Dale Mason, Chattanooga, TN; great-grandchildren, Mason Roberson, Carrollton, GA, Drake Boyd, Chattanooga, TN, Madison Boyd, Chattanooga, TN, Mia Kenton, Chattanooga, TN; and great-great grandchild, Brody Jackson; and many kind and loving caregivers, friends and Kandy Kastle Kids.
Public viewing will be from 12–8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at the funeral home.
A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at First Baptist Church, East 8th Street.
Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423-622-9995.