Leslie Thomas White

Luke 23:43 - And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Gone from our home, but never from our hearts, our beloved

Leslie Thomas White entered eternal rest, Saturday, September 4, 2021, Atrium Health Hospital, Concord, NC.  Leslie, known to his family and friends as, “Tom-Tom”, was born January 30, 1968, in Queens County, New York. Leslie was the son of Brenda Brown, and two fathers: the late Thomas White and the late Eddie Lee Brown.

Leslie received special education in elementary and secondary school at The Shield Institute, Flushing, New York where he was graduated in 1985. He enjoyed attending The Shield Institute. When he’d come home from school, he always shared what he learned. When he learned his favorite childhood song, Wheels on the Bus, he sang it all the time. It was infectious because he had the whole family singing that song. He enjoyed his educational journey. It taught him self-expression, communication, and social interactions.

In 1987, Leslie and his family moved to North Carolina where he joined and became a dedicated member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Badin, North Carolina. He worked at the Greenwood Center and Pfeiffer University in maintenance but was forced to give up the career he loved due to his health. He took pride in his model car collection, loved looking at magazines that displayed “New House” as he would say, watching HGTV, and turning up to his favorite Old School music. His favorite artists: Al Green, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

“Tom-Tom” had a benevolent presence that was affectionate, peaceful, loving, and personal. He was a kind and gentle person who loved spending time with family and friends. His love and commitment for his mother expressed respect, loyalty, and devotion. He was precious to all who knew him.

Leslie was preceded in death by his two ‘dads’: Thomas White and Eddie Lee Brown, and grandfather, Mack Sam Bruton.

His memory will remain always in the hearts of his loving and devoted family. He is survived by his mother, Brenda P. Brown, New London, NC, daughter-niece, Antiniqua ‘Tikki’ (Edward) Bell, Raleigh, NC, five sisters: Cynthia (Harry) Robinson, Albemarle, NC, Robin White, New London, NC, Tamara Cunningham, Greensboro, NC, Chicaraw R. Meaders, and Shyesia Ann Jordan both of Albemarle, NC; two brothers: Michael (Angela) Brown, Albemarle, NC, and Reginald (Renee) Brown, Lenoir, NC; grandmother, Ernestine McCoy, Alexandria, VA; nieces: Niesha Diggs, Ebony Brigham, Jessica Robinson, NiAsia White, nephews: Antwan Robinson, Sandy Brigham Jr., DeMarco Meaders-Bruton, Adam Robinson, Anthony Brown; aunts: Neva (Emmanual) Bellamy, Alexandria, VA, Trina (Timothy) Fonville, Salisbury, NC, Macqueline (Edward) Paulley, Brooklyn, NY, Sharean (Willie) Williams, New London, NC and Dina Bruton, Albemarle, NC; uncles: Gregory McCoy, Mervyn McCoy, both of Salisbury, NC, Mallory McCoy, Alexandria, VA, Glenn Bruton, Albemarle, NC, Jared Bruton, Fort Dix, NJ, Leon (Mildred) Brown, and Jeffery (Shelia) Rorie, both of Albemarle, NC; a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends; special cousin, Mary Brown, who “Tom-Tom” always called ‘Bootney’.

To my Son

If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
and bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken
no time to say goodbye
you were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness
and secret tears still flow,
what it meant to lose you,
no one will ever know.

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