Leslie Lamar Yarbrough

Les grew up in Meridian, MS, and graduated from Meridian High School and Meridian Community College. After serving two years in the Army in occupied Japan he graduated from Mississippi-Southern with a B.A. in art and moved to Birmingham where he began an illustrious career as a graphic designer, illustrator, and fine artist.

He was a partner in the graphic art studio, GraphicSouth, became art director of Williamson, Merrill, Taylor and Darling sales promotion firm and in 1980 opened his own art and design studio where he worked and taught until retirement.

Les’ talent spanned the artistic spectrum, from industrial and corporate design to humorous, whimsical children’s art to oil paintings of his beloved southern landscape. His fine art was represented in Birmingham by Littlehouse Galleries and Artists Incorporated and in galleries in Washington DC, Richmond VA, Atlanta, and Montgomery. He was a popular participant at Magic City Art Connection and Bluff Park Art Show where he was awarded Best of Show in 1999. His paintings are found in corporate and private collections throughout the South.

Les is survived by his wife, Ruth Hamner Yarbrough, his daughter, Beth Yarbrough, friend Mary Helen Brown, all of Auburn; nieces and nephews, Rick (Mary) Yarbrough, Randy Yarbrough, Michelle Yarbrough, Michael Yarbrough, Liz (Johnny) Montgomery and Virginia (Michael) Floyd all of Birmingham; nephews Lawrence (Rhonda) Cole of Lebanon, TN and David (Beth) Cole of Tampa, FL; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother James Maurice (Dot) Yarbrough of Birmingham and his parents Elmer Yarbrough and Lelles Yarbrough Breland.

Les was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood for 50 years before joining Auburn United Methodist Church.

Services will be held Thursday, September 28 at 12:00 at Ridout’s Valley Chapel with Rev. Julie Hare officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-12 that same morning. A private burial will be held at New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma at a later date.

The family suggests memorials be made to REACH Alzheimer’s Respite Care, Auburn UMC, 220 Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, AL, 36830; Studio by the Tracks, 301 20th Street South, Irondale, AL 35210; or a favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.