Leslie Lambert Tuke, age 84, of Clifton Forge, Virginia, died peacefully April 29, 2009 in the home of her daughter in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Family was present with her.
She was born May 26, 1924 in West Virginia, a daughter of the late Arthur Lambert, and was the youngest of eight children.
At the time of her mother's death, Leslie and her siblings were separated when she was eight years old, and she was raised by the Neff family in Hot Springs.
After graduating from Valley High School, she married Latimer "Bill" Tuke and enjoyed forty-five years of a loving marriage.
Together, they ran the family business, Tuke's Trailer Court, which she continued to operate for ten years following Bill's death with the help of her son-in-law, John.
She was quiet, but had an inner strength. She loved art and classical music, and was an avid reader. She had great love for animals and nature, loved camping and feeding the birds. The family has several pets who were very protective of her and will miss her. She was a loyal friend, who had a respect and compassion for people. She cherished her friends, many of whom are deceased. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be missed.
In addition to her father and husband, she was preceded in death by her seven brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her two daughters, Vicki L. Tuke, of Roanoke and Belinda T.Sanders of Chesapeake; her beloved son-in-law, John Sanders, Jr. and her treasured grandson, Hunter Tuke Sanders, also of Chesapeake, Virginia.
There will be a graveside funeral service on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor officiated by the Rev. Robert D. Smith of the First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. There will be no visitation.
Friends may call any time at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 419, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, which she supported consistently throughout the years.
The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is in charge of arrangements.
