Mrs Leslie Anita Garrett Gilmore

Leslie Anita Garrett Gilmore, 60 of Hoover, gained her Heavenly wings on Saturday, June 10, 2023, after a 24-month long battle with Glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. Leslie departed this life peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and entered eternal rest.

Leslie was born March 20, 1963, to Vance and Fannie Garrett of Jasper, Alabama. She graduated from Walker High School in 1981 and attended Walker Junior College. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1987, a Master of Arts degree in Education from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1989 and a Master of Arts degree in Education from University of Montevallo in 1994. Leslie’s ministry was her students and she worked with passion and purpose as a teacher and counselor in the Alabama School System for 32 years.

Of all her most notable accomplishments, Leslie was most proud of her husband, Joseph, and her son, Roman. Leslie married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Arthur Gilmore on March 18, 1983. She was a loving and devoted wife. Leslie and Joseph were adopted by Roman Garrett Gilmore on February 24, 2006. Roman was the joy of her life. Leslie was a wonderful mother, providing her son with love, compassion, confidence, and kindness.

Leslie was a devoted Christian and served as a member of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama. She was known by her family and friends as someone, grounded by her faith in God, that they could depend on for honesty and clarity.

Family and friends were important to Leslie. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed investing time with them. Leslie loved music and was gifted with a beautiful voice and ability to play the piano. Her favorite music was Christian, and her favorite artists were Evie, Joey Feek, David Phelps, Josh Groban, and Whitley Phipps. Leslie was most at peace working in her flower garden. She loved working with her hands in the earth, seeing God’s work, and sharing the beautiful fruits of her labor with others. Leslie also enjoyed baking and would delight in sharing her tasty treats with others. Leslie also enjoyed antiques and the joy of the hunt for that perfect treasure. She appreciated and valued the times represented by her antiques. Leslie enjoyed traveling and was blessed to visit many places both domestically and abroad.

Leslie was preceded in death by her sister, Gina Lou Garrett Jones; father-in-law, Arthur Roland Gilmore; grandfather, Ira Allen Garrett; grandmother, Oletha Southerland Garrett; grandfather, Raiford Leon Sanderson; grandmother, Mary Dean Clark Sanderson; grandfather-in-law, Lewis Hampton Gilmore; grandmother-in-law, Sylvia Estelle Woodley Gilmore; grandfather-in-law, Warren Garnsey McGough; and grandmother-in-law, Mary Ethel L. Martha Harper McGough.

Leslie is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Joseph Arthur Gilmore; son, Roman Garrett Gilmore; father, Vance Claud Garrett; mother, Fannie Lou Sanderson Garrett; sister, Lee Ann Garrett Ezell (William); brother-in-law, Gary Edward Jones; mother-in-law, Jimmie Lou McGough Gilmore; brother-in- law, Philip Roland Gilmore; sister-in-law, Pamela Lou Gilmore Kelly; aunt, Sara Ann McGough McCluskey (Tony); nieces and nephews, Joshua Adam Keeton (Amber), Ashley Melia Keeton (Tommy Thomas), Rebekah Dean Gilmore, John Harper Gilmore, Hannah Grace Gilmore, Mary Jewel Gilmore, Michael Wayne Jones, Nathan Ryan Jones, John Andrew Jones (Shannon), James Reagan Banks, Arlington Ezell, and Palin Ezell; great nieces and nephews, Caleb Joshua Keeton, Luke Adam Keeton, Kaley Cheyanne Lawson (Lane), Jordan Lucas Jones, Lillian Amelia Keeton, Serabie Love Thomas, Ella Grace Jones, Corbyn Taylor Lawson, and Mckenna Lou Ann Jones; many other relatives and friends.

A service celebrating Leslie’s life will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm in Southern Heritage Funeral Home Chapel, Pelham, Alabama 35124. The visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2:00. Pastor Buddy Gray, Hunter Street Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Southern Heritage Funeral Home Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.southernheritagefunderals.com. Southern Heritage Funeral Home directing.

Special thanks and appreciation are extended to the personnel of UAB Medical Center, UAB Hospital, and Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that those who are interested donate to the following organization in Leslie’s name:

Glioblastoma Foundation