John Burris Lesley Jr.

As the sun went up on the morning of September 9, 2022, so did John Burris Lesley, Jr. go up to meet his Father in Heaven. John passed in the comfort of the home he created with his beloved wife, Sharon.

John was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, along the ever-changing waters of the Chattahoochee River, where he played his days away as a young boy. Possessing a brilliant mind of astounding intellect and creativity, John was an extraordinary gentleman characterized by his great humility. He was a quiet artist and an artisan, who loved creating things with his hands. It did not matter if he was woodworking, building contraptions, plucking out melodies on his guitar, or writing his thoughts and poetries on his handmade notebooks of cigarette cartons, John was always happy to be creating something special.

Left blessed by the time and love they shared are his beloved wife of 49 years, Sharon Elizabeth Jacobs Lesley; his faithful and adored daughter, Lisa Lynn Shaner and her husband, Nicholas; his strong and wonderful son John Jacob Lesley and his fiancé, Rosemary Vargas; he is also survived by his two lovely sisters, Linda Cronin, Shirley Wilson and husband Tommie; his stepsister, Brenda Sawyer and husband Jimmy; and his three treasured grandchildren, Kristian Riley Shaner, Ashton Josiah Shaner, and Nathalie K. Guerra, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends that became family. He goes to rejoice with his relatives that have already passed into the graces of the Lord; his father and mother, John Burris Lesley, Sr., and Dorothy N. Herrin, as well as his stepsiblings, Billy Herrin and Patricia Blair, and his brothers-in-law, Joseph Cronin and James Leonard Jacobs.

We are bound together by the love we share with each other and the love we held for him.

Visitation will be 11:00 AM – 12:00 noon Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at First Church of Fayetteville, 2813 Cumberland Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 noon Wednesday following the visitation with Pastor’s Jerry Groves and Daryl Williams officiating.

Burial will follow in Cape Fear Baptist Church Cemetery, 2251 Downing Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312.