Leslie Crews Cato

Published 12:04 pm Friday, October 7, 2016

SARASOTA, FLA—Leslie Crews Cato, 61, of Sarasota, Fla., died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.  She was the daughter of the late Luther Tilman (Bill) Crews of Hampton and Betty Wooten Edwards of Smithfield. 

Leslie grew up in Hampton, graduating from Hampton High School and immediately beginning a life-long career in civil service.  She later joined the Central Intelligence Agency, serving abroad for many years, returning to live in Washington, D.C., and New York City before retiring to Florida.     

Leslie is survived by her husband of 33 years, Charles “Bud” Cato; son, Dallas Cato, wife Lateefah, and grandson Julian of Atlanta; grandmother, Thelma Hill of Newport News; father, Thomas C. Edwards Jr., of Smithfield; sisters, Susan Anderson (Joe) of Orlando, Fla., Theresa Husted (David) of Riverside, Calif., and Kelly Barlow (Ryland) of Smithfield; brothers, Christopher Crews (Pattie) of Alberton, Mt., Thomas Edwards III (Kathy) and Franklin Edwards of Smithfield, and Jeffery Edwards (Connie) of Suffolk; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.   
A memorial service and life celebration will be held Sunday, Nov. 13, in Smithfield. For information on the time and location of the memorial, please email barlowcom89@gmail.com.