Lesli Huggett

Lesli "Mama" Huggett

Lesli Kelly Huggett, 57, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on October 11, 2021. Lesli was born on June 1, 1964 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, but Palm Valley was always her home.

Lesli spent many years teaching and loving on her preschool babies at Cornerstone Christian Academy and Trinity Christian Academy. Though she loved her time there, her pride, joy and greatest accomplishment in her eyes was found in her children and grandchildren. Nothing was more important to Lesli than her family.

All Lesli ever wanted was to have a little family of her own. Her dream came true when she met her handsome soulmate, Greg Huggett, at the age of 17. Lesli married her forever best friend on January 30, 1982 and was blessed with 39 years of marriage. Soon Lesli became Mama to Daron, followed by Jared, Chelsea, and Carter. But her children were not the only ones she mothered. Lesli was often referred to as Mama Lesli by her children's friends. Her nieces and nephews were showered with unconditional love by their Aunt Lesli. Her blessings continued (and boy did they!) and she became the world's best Nana to 14 grand babies that she loved with all her heart: Gabriel, Myla, Kozar, Khasta, Keda, Kwinn, Paisley, Finnley, Thatcher, Sawyer, Wilder, Colt, Oakleigh, and Brooks. Nothing brought her more joy than these babies and nothing was harder for her to leave behind.

Lesli was a woman of unfailing faith and she never missed a chance to share and show the love of Jesus. She also never missed a chance to tell a Northerner how to correctly pronounce Mickler (Mike-ler), proudly preserving her family legacy. Actually Lesli never missed a chance to talk your ear off about anything and everything. She never knew a stranger, just friends she hadn't met yet and she shined her love and light on all who came in contact with her.

Lesli had such a passion for life and everything was a magical experience to her. From cool mountain mornings in Maggie Valley to trips down the Itchetucknee she wanted all her loved ones there and every trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Lesli never did anything halfway. Holidays were a special gift from this beautiful woman. Every detail was so thoughtfully prepared. No one could ever outdo her. She shopped and cooked until she literally dropped! She may have been cooking in her pjs as people started walking in the door, but she didn't care so long as she had made everyone's special dish that made them feel loved.

Cooking was Mama's love language. From Christmas cookies and rum cake to amazing southern dinners with her famous sweet tea called, "Mama Lesli's Sweet Country Brew", no one ever left her house without a full belly and a warm heart. And if the taste of her food was a testament to the depth of her love, than boy did she love us a lot!

Lesli had a superpower for putting all others before herself, as she was a true servant of Jesus Christ. As much as we wish we had more time to have her here with us, we know she is dancing for Jesus with her Daddy with the precious baby she lost and longed to see again, in her arms. Forever doing what she cherished most; loving Jesus, loving her family and loving on her babies.

Lesli is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Greg; daughters, Daron (Kevin) Kopin and Chelsea (Jimmy) Crosby; sons, Jared (Dana) and Carter; grandbabies, Gabriel, Myla, Kozar, Khasta, Keda, Kwinn, Paisley, Finnley, Thatcher, Sawyer, Wilder, Colt, Oakleigh, and Brooks; mother, Merline Mickler Jobes; brother, David Plummer; and sisters, Wanda Langford, and Bethany Padgett. She will meet her daddy, Phil Pagett and her precious baby lost 39 years ago in heaven.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 at Christ's Church Mandarin Chapel followed by a Celebration of Life at Palm Valley Outdoors (PVO) from 3:00 PM to Dusk.