Leslie Anderson Vallely passed away June 13, 2014 at her home in Huntsville, Alabama after a courageous fight with cancer. Leslie was born on September 28, 1958 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to the late Reverend Barry Hollis Anderson and Claire Palmer Pickett, both of Tuscaloosa.
Leslie graduated from Grissom High School in 1976 and attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she was a member of Phi Mu sorority and served as a Capstone Woman for the university. After graduating with a degree in public relations, Leslie returned to Huntsville and began her career in communications. Leslie served as the Public Service Director for WHNT-TV and then served as Public Relations Director for Hospice Family Care in Huntsville. In 2005, Leslie joined Clearview Cancer Institute as Director of Communications. While at Clearview, Leslie founded Circle of Friends, a cancer support group for women in Marshall County and was instrumental in establishing educational programs for all cancer patients in the Tennessee Valley.
Leslie was very active in the Huntsville community. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She also served a year as Panoply of the Arts Co-Chair. Leslie possessed a true servant’s heart. She spearheaded a disaster relief campaign after the April 27, 2011 tornadoes, raising more than $20,000 in North Alabama and also assisted with displaced families after Hurricane Katrina. As evidenced by Leslie’s passion for excellence, she served as a founder of the Capstone Leadership Academy at the University of Alabama, a mentoring program for high school students.
Her joyful spirit, loving heart and enduring faith will be missed by everyone who knew her. Leslie is survived by her devoted husband, John Joseph Vallely; daughters, Leigh Hayes Mathews (Jason) of Birmingham, Alabama; Megan Elizabeth Hayes and Kathleen Palmer Vallely of Huntsville; mother, Claire Palmer Pickett of Huntsville; brothers, John Landon Anderson (Rena) of Huntsville and Todd Palmer Anderson (Meg) of Birmingham; nieces and nephews (Landon, Emily, Thomas and Griffin). Leslie’s endless grace, courage and strength live on in the hearts and daily lives of her three beautiful daughters and her loving husband, whom she cherished so dearly. Berryhill Funeral Home in Huntsville, Alabama will be assisting the family. Visitation will be held Monday, June 16 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Berryhill. A service in Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, June 17 at Trinity United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. followed by burial at Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memoriams be made to Clearview Cancer Institute in memory of Leslie and in honor of Marshall T. Schreeder, M.D. With your donation, Leslie will continue to help those patients that she loved so dearly.
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Was surfing through people I attended high school with as well as church and found this about Leslie. Leslie was one of the first people I met when we attended Latham UMC. I remember her vibrancy and caring. We attended camp Cholakee (sp) somewhere around 1975 and she introduced me to many of the kids. We didn’t hang out at school much. She was a Jr. and I was a freshmen but always remembered her kindness when we first moved to Huntsville. So sad to read this. What great accomplishments on her behalf. God bless her and her family.