Mrs. Linda Blanton Sheppard Leslie, age 75, of Summerville, GA, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Linda was born on May 30, 1949, in Andalusia, AL, to the late Catherine Elizabeth Hart Sheppard and Milton Perry Sheppard. She was a member of Menlo Presbyterian Church, worked part-time at the Chattooga County Public Library, and volunteered at the local chapter of the Georgia Farm Bureau. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a special education teacher in the Bartow County School System and Cherokee County School System. She also served in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Captain in 1978.

A lifelong learner, Linda earned an Associate’s degree from Young Harris College, a B.S. in Textiles and a Master’s degree in Home Economics from Auburn University, and studied in the Military Overseas Education Program at the University of Southern California. She also earned a B.S. in Special Education from Brenau University, an Education Specialist degree in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University, a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of North Georgia, and other accolades.

Linda enjoyed gardening, knitting hats for premature newborns, volunteering, and proudly bragging about her granddaughters.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her sister, Cathy Sheppard Olinger; brother-in-law, Ralph Olinger; and niece, Rebecca “Becky” Olinger.

Linda is survived by her husband, John M. Leslie; brother, Milton “Pete” Sheppard Jr.; children, Samuel, Elizabeth, and Robert; and grandchildren, Laurel and Lillia.

Visitation will be held at Menlo Presbyterian Church in Menlo, GA, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. followed immediately by the service at 1:00 P.M. (ET) on Thursday, May 8, 2025. A graveside service will be held at Bradford’s Chapel UMC in Tuskegee, AL, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Central Time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Chattooga County Farm Bureau, Chattooga County Chapter of the Georgia Young Farmers Association, Chattooga County 4-H, FFA, or other youth-supporting organizations.

The pallbearers are Jayne Short, Sandy Wheat, Donna Sausville, Christy Brannon, Garrett Hurley, Greg Hurley, Bill Bryan, Cliff Hunter, Stan Reynolds, Steve Scoggins, and Eddie Massey.

To share your condolences with the family online, please visit our website at www.masonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are provided by Mason Funeral Home- Summerville, GA.