Leslie Nalene Chesnut

Leslie Nalene (Wood) Chesnut of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2019, just hours short of her 76th birthday.

Leslie was born on November 27, 1943 in Portsmouth, Va., to Lester A. and Natalie E. (Smith) Wood. She was the eldest of 3 daughters. After the war, the family returned to Oklahoma where Leslie spent much of her life, most in Tulsa. She graduated from Cross Keys High School, Atlanta, Georgia in 1962. She graduated from Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma in 1966 with a degree in Elementary Education.

Leslie worked in early childhood education as a teacher. She taught in Crowley, Texas, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, most notably helping to create early childhood programs at Bethany Community School. She worked at the Tulsa Food Bank for over 10 years and was medically retired. In her last few years, she was blessed to be able to continue to enjoy her love of interacting with children as a resident/volunteer at Grace Living Center, Jenks.

Leslie is remembered for her commitment to human rights and leadership in areas of peace and justice, particularly with Tulsa Peace Fellowship. She was an avid reader. She started a movie night at her home in Jenks which continues to this day. She spent 10 of her adult years in Dallas, 5 of which she took wonderful care of her mother. Leslie enjoyed watching her two nieces grow up and attending their various school activities. She loved dogs and they loved her; she raised several in her lifetime.

Her family and friends describe her as one of the kindest persons they knew. They treasure the memories of her sense of humor. Her tireless work for so many years added to the arc of justice for our world. She leaves a legacy of compassion and courage that sustains those who remember her life.

She is survived by her son Jeffrey Chesnut and spouse Penny, her daughter Christy Chesnut Levine, grandson Jakob Levine, two sisters Laura Wood West of Fort Worth, Texas, and Kathy Wood Benker and spouse George of Frisco, Texas, two nieces Mallory and Emily Zenthoefer, numerous cousins, Chesnut family members, and lifetime friends.

A special thank you to her caregivers for all the gentle love, devotion and kindness shown to Leslie and her family at Grace Living Center, Jenks, Oklahoma; the amazing nurses, aides and volunteers at Clarehouse, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the exceptional staff at The Good Shepherd Hospice Care, Tulsa, Ok.

The service for March 28 at Hope Unitarian Church has been cancelled.

A memorial website can be found at https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/LeslieNaleneWoodChesnut/

A live, online Celebration of Life service will be held March 28, at 2:00 PM.

Access information can be found on her memorial website.

Memorials may be made in Leslie’s memory to Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (CFBEO), 1304 N Kenosha Ave., Tulsa, OK 74106 or Clarehouse, 7617 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74133.