Leslie Albert Smith

Leslie Albert Smith, 96, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on November 12, 2023 in Birmingham, AL. He was the dedicated Patriarch to the entire Smith family for his entire life. He was the most generous man and had the softest heart for all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was a Christian and a long-time member of the Ensley United Methodist Church. He was born on December 21, 1926, in Albertville, AL to his parents, Albert Thomas Smith and Mattie Esther Morgan. He had an older brother and sister, Lamar and Lennie, and a younger brother, Willie Joe. As a boy, he was raised on the family farm, working with his parents and siblings taking care of the animals and crops. He was fondly called ‘cotton top’ for his notable blonde hair. He would happily reminisce about rabbit hunting with his best dog ‘Red’. Leslie worked at the AL Drydock and Shipbuilding Company in Mobile, AL from 1943-1945. He was drafted into the US Army on March 20, 1945 to serve the country during WWII. Following completion of boot camp, he volunteered to become a paratrooper. He graduated from Parachute School in Ft. Benning, GA on September 7, 1945 and was a member of the 13th Airborne Division, which was later inactivated on Feb 6, 1946, without seeing combat. His division was later transferred to the 82nd Airborne Command. Leslie was honorably discharged from the US Army on Oct 13, 1946. He then began working with the DOD Civil Services at Brookley Air Field in Mobile, AL, until it closed in 1967. At which time he moved with his family to Pensacola, FL and transferred his employment to Whiting Field NAS, as a Maintenance Scheduler, until he retired in 1982. He married his first and only true love, Catherine Marie Hubbard, on September 27, 1945. They were married for 58 ½ years until Catherine’s death in 2004. Not a day passed that he did not profess his love for Catherine and longed to see her again. Leslie and Catherine had 5 children: Leslie Smith Jr. (Wanda), Lavonne A. Koch (Rick), Nancy E. O’Shea, Kyle D. Smith and Tammy Williams (Richard). He was affectionally known as Poppie and he deeply loved his grandchildren; Anna Wallis (Paul), Hope Dannielle Sheffield (Ken), Kaylyn Chan (John), Bruce Koch (Sarah), Ricki Vittito (Mike), Bert Smith (Nicole), Evan O’Shea (Jennifer) Heath O’Shea (Melanie), Shana Blankenship, Blake Smith, Richard Williams II (Jessica), Leslie Derouen (Larry). He also had 22 great grandchildren (with one expected in December), and 5 great-great grandchildren. Poppie never missed the opportunity to hold a baby in his arms or have a dog in his lap to take a nap with him. Leslie is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his loving wife, Catherine, his daughters Lavonne and Nancy, and his grandson, Bert Smith. Services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Monday, November 20, 2023 with visitation services from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gina Bryan officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola NAS, with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in honor of Leslie A. Smith, to Ensley United Methodist Church (25 E Johnson Ave., Pensacola, FL 32534). Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Leslie Albert Smith

December 21, 1926 - November 12, 2023