Leslie Jean Hunter, age 28, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at her home in Clinton, Missouri. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM also at the Vansant-Mills Chapel. Burial to follow in the Deepwater Cemetery in Deepwater, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the Leslie Hunter Memorial Fund for her son Emerson Sheek and may be left in care of the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Leslie Jean Hunter was born at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri on December 23, 1994, to David Hunter and Jennifer (Parratt) Strong.  She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jay and Patty Hunter, maternal grandmother, Diane "Dee Dee" Holt, paternal great grandparents Norris and Bertha Stanley, maternal great grandparents, Leslie and Jean Claypool and Harry and Nellie Parratt, as well as her maternal step grandmother, Carol Jean Strong and infant cousin Tanner Lane Edmunds. She was blessed to be a part of many families, both natural and "step," who had a hand in raising this beautiful woman who fulfilled many roles, captured many hearts and, above all, was a dedicated mother who loved her son more than anything.

Leslie is survived by her precious, beautiful son, Emerson Dean Sheek of Clinton, Missouri, her fiancé, Gehrig Taylor of Clinton, Missouri,  her mother, Jennifer Strong and stepfather, Stephen Strong, of Fairhope, Alabama, her father, David Hunter, and stepmother Keri Harrell of Clinton, Missouri, Brother, Steven Strong of Fairhope, Alabama, Step Sisters Kendra (Wesley) Wachner of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Makayla (Alex) Johnson of Independence, Missouri, and Kelsey Harrell of Windsor, Missouri. Maternal Grandfather, Steven Parratt of Lowry City, Missouri, Step Grandfather Ted (Eileen) Holt of Clinton, Missouri, Paternal Step Grandmother Stella Maynard of Carthage, Missouri and Maternal Step Grandparents Ron and Linda Strong of Garden City, Missouri, Maternal Aunt, Sarah (Waylon) Jones of Clinton, Missouri, Maternal Uncle, Eric (Tara) Fisher of Coos Bay, Oregon, Paternal Uncle, Scott (Kathi) Hunter of Independence, Missouri, Maternal Step Aunt Jeanette (Brian) Baker of Harrisonville, Missouri, Maternal Step Uncle John Strong of Blue Springs, Paternal Step Uncle Rick Strong of Lebanon, Missouri, Paternal Step Uncle Eric (Meagan) Yates of Nevada, Missouri, and Paternal Step Aunt, Kristi (Brice) Caruthers of Blue Springs, Missouri, Infant niece, Kinsley Wachner, of Virginia Beach, VA, Maternal cousins:  Bailey and Jacy Jones of Clinton, Missouri, Paternal cousin:  Stephanie (Michael) Thacker of Milton, Florida and many more maternal and paternal extended cousins, step cousins, so many that her "cousin-cup" runneth over! There's a lot of us and one might require a huge whiteboard along with multicolored markers and sticky notes that would only begin to touch her massive family tree.  Leslie was blessed to call many families, "family" and even divorce or separation did not sever her ties to you:  it doesn't matter how you came into her family; she kept you anyway no matter the circumstance.  Leslie loved the Lilo and Stitch version of the definition of family.  She enjoyed the saying "Ohana—it means family:  family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten."

Leslie grew up in both the Henry and Cass County areas where she attended First Christian Church as a little girl and was baptized by Rev Howard Cupp.  She attended both Jr High and High School in Harrisonville, Missouri, and then graduated from Clinton Senior High School in 2013.  Leslie met her HS sweetheart, Derric, and the Sheek family then came into our lives and with the birth of Emerson Dean, an extended family was formed that continues on to this day. Leslie and Derric continued to coparent Emerson and both families recognize he is a perfect expression of love itself; a timeless bond that will never end, Forever Ohana.  Like the multitasker she was, Leslie decided to take on both motherhood and nursing school with the support from her family and friends and succeeded in graduating with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Central Missouri in December of 2018. Leslie enjoyed working in the ICU at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and truly embraced trauma and cardiac ICU. She and her mother worked the same hospital for a few years and her mother fondly cherishes the carpool memories, Leslie showing up with coffee and Panera, and a hug, proudly introducing her to her mother's coworkers and meetings Leslie's, as well, in particular her first preceptor, "Mama Connie" and sharing a few birthing experiences with Leslie when she thought she may like to test the Labor and Delivery waters.  Her face came to life when those mamas would proudly birth their babies with her encouragement, but in the end, Leslie said, "You know, Mom, that was beautiful, but I think I'll stick to my sick patients in ICU, those mamas can sure turn on ya on a dime and I'm better at the heart attacks.  You keep the babies; I'll do the hearts and trauma" and a forever career deal was struck. Post Covid, she decided to work with a travel company and was currently working in the ICU at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. She took great pride in being well versed in post cardiac catheterization care and was even instrumental at performing CPR in downtown Kansas City when she was off duty and was able to save a man's life.  It was an exhilarating experience for those who were with her, and it gave her a great sense of pride and satisfaction knowing she made all the difference.  The last few years, she has welcomed many changes, moving from Pleasant Hill to Clinton, as well as a new home and a proposal in marriage to her fiancé, Gehrig. She enjoyed hanging out with Gehrig and his family at their home or in KC.

Growing up, Leslie's love for animals involved checking cows with her Grandpa Ted (who she referred to as ma'Ted), and he learned really quick he better not leave without her and try this on his own or a verbal thrashing would be had!  Her Grandpa Steve loved giving her any and all Barbies her heart desired, including her first Barbie Jeep that she spent many a day cruising around her Grandma Patty and Grandpa Jay's back yard.  They frequently yelled, "Leslie, look ahead of you not, behind!"  Her driving skills were, let's just say never her strong suit, but she valued the feel of freedom and a good tune on while she drove down the road all the same.  Her Great Grandma Bertha enjoyed spending time with her, and Leslie made her laugh often with her wit and spunky charm. Her Grandma DeeDee kept her for the majority of her early years while her father worked, and her mother went to nursing school. Days with Grandma consisted of playing dress up, Barbies, trucks, and watching tons of Disney movies with the several children that Grandma DeeDee babysat. She loved her "kitty cats" and could often be found carrying a cat around by the neck "loving it" to death. Her favorite memories would be verbalized later in life of her Grandma Dee Dee letting her ride on her lap and drive on the back roads and taking her to Clyde's General Store in Deepwater to buy whatever candy (usually candy cigarettes) she wanted. She enjoyed dressing up with her play makeup, costumes, and her "Pitty Shoes," which were plastic high heels, rarely matched, but she thought they were the jazz and would proudly "clop, clop, clop" around town without a care, because, once again, her Grandma DeeDee would let her be a free spirit, much to the dismay of her mother and Aunt Sarah who objected unsuccessfully to make her wear matching clothes that weren't plastic.  Grandma DeeDee would say, "leave her alone, she's perfect the way she is."  Leslie knew she had a forever best friend and defender in her Grandma DeeDee.  They were deeply bonded; Leslie Jean was named after her Grandma DeeDee's parents.  Losing her Grandma DeeDee was devastating for her in 2008, and she was forever affected by this loss; today, our Leslie Jean, will be laid to rest next to her life's best friend, Grandma DeeDee.

She enjoyed so much travel with her mom and dad, mainly her dad, Dave.  He and Keri, Kelsey, and Leslie traveled a multitude of places on summer breaks/holidays:  Texas, Wisconsin, Florida, San Fransisco, and New York City, to name a few.  With her mother, travel usually consisted of Florida, Disney World/Universal studios twice.  They flew in right before Hurricane Charley in 2004 while everyone else was flying out and weathered the storm together.  Afterward, Leslie enjoyed a lot less crowded ride lines, so she thought that was awesome.  She loved a good roller coaster and was fascinated, always, with weather.

She enjoyed music, all kinds, but really loved Stevie Nicks, Halsey and Taylor Swift, above most.  More of her favorites were concerts with family and friends, with a few of her favorite memories was getting to see Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac twice with her mom, Aunt Sarah, and Stepfather, Stephen. She said, "that was a very spiritual experience" and Bob Seger's last concert tour with her Grandpa Steve, stepsister, Makayla, brother Steven, Mom, and Stepfather, Stephen. She enjoyed watching her Grandpa Steve getting to see his rock and roll hero from the 3rd row back.  She enjoyed The Hang Out Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama several years with her friends, traveling to exotic places with her travel buddy from work, Randy, a good wine, coffee, hair clips, makeup, tattoos, cows, sunflowers, comfy clothes, the Royals, Sporting KC, KU-Rock Chalk, Jay Hawk and How about those Chiefs?  She loved everything about Kansas City.

But, most of all, she loved that baby.  Emerson was her "magnum opus," her entire world. This is where we ask for all the love, support, prayers, and positive memories to be shared with Emerson as he grows.  He needs to be able to experience his mother the way we knew and loved her and the way she loved him. It won't ever be enough because her absence will forever shape this baby's world.  She loved him more than she loved any of us who loved her, and we must remember this truth. Leslie, we know, and we love you.  Emerson will be everyone's Ohana; Leslie, you will never be forgotten or left behind. We will carry you with us until we can be together again. Until then, sweet girl, hold Tanner, be held by Grama DeeDee and hold tight until we can, one day, hold you.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.