Leslie Raye Warden

Leslie Raye Warden passed away on June 23rd, 2019. Leslie fought a courageous battle with cancer for 16 years before ultimately succumbing to metastatic melanoma.Leslie was born on March 23rd, 1962 in Great Bend, Kansas as the fourth child to Joan Marie and Lew Wentz Warden. She moved to Oklahoma City as a young child with her family and remained a resident of the metro area for over 50 years. She was preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth Hazelwood in 2001 who was the light of her life. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Leslie became a teacher in the Oklahoma City Pubic School System. During her career, Leslie developed a deep bond with her students, fellow teachers, and administrators and was widely respected as an educator and a person. She touched many lives and is greatly missed by many in the education community. She was also deeply invested in the lives of her nieces and nephews, and she considered all of them to be like her own children. In addition to the joy she gained from teaching and spending time with family, Leslie also loved travel, food, music, and poodles including her beloved Lucy.Leslie was also preceded in death by her father, Lew Warden. She is survived by her mother Joan Warden; brother Dennis Warden and sister-in-law Lashell Warden; brother Michael Warden and sister-in-law Connie Warden; brother Matthew Warden and sister-in-law Jeannie Warden, brother Sam Warden and sister-in-law Stacey Warden, and her nieces and nephews Jasper, Jon, Caleb, Lindsey, Andrew, and EmKay. Leslie's memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 27th at 10 AM at the Smith & Kernke Chapel located at 14624 N. May Avenue in Oklahoma City.