Mr. Les Leverett's Obituary
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Les Leverett, 96, of Goodlettsville, TN, passed away on June 2, 2023, after a long illness.
Les was born on April 23, 1927, in Montgomery, AL to WW and Hassie Mae Leverett, and grew up in Perdido and Atmore, AL. After serving aboard a troop ship at the end of World War II, he attended photography school in San Antonio, TX where he met and married Dot Vandiver. Soon after their marriage in 1949, they moved to her hometown of Nashville, TN, where they raised their 3 children. Dot and Les were married for 65 years until her death in 2014.
Les had a colorful career as a music industry photographer, and as staff photographer for National Life and Accident Insurance Company, WSM, and the Grand Ole Opry. Through his work, Les and Dot were able to travel the world. He won several awards for his photography including a NARAS Grammy Award in 1966 for a Porter Waggoner album cover entitled “Confessions of A Broken Man” and a Billboard award for Country Album Cover of the Year in 1973 for Dolly Parton's LP "Bubbling Over." The International Bluegrass Music Association honored him in 2001 with a Distinguished Achievement Award. His works have been seen on over 200 record album covers, numerous television shows, and have been published internationally. His work has been exhibited at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles, California; the IBMA Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky; Nashville’s Cheekwood Fine Arts Center; and in the Nashville International Airport. He also had two published books of his own, "Blue Moon of Kentucky: Bluegrass Chronicles of Les Leverett" and "American Music Legends", but he considered his involvement with the Ken Burns Country Music documentary as the highlight of his career.
Les enjoyed good humor, pranks, art, poetry, cartoons, western movies, music, singing, animals, and books. He was a writer of limericks and a talented artist who had a knack for drawing caricatures, and a lesser-known gift of being able to write backwards and upside down. He was also a devout Christian who regularly donated his time and efforts to various charitable causes.
Les was predeceased by his parents, siblings, many friends, his wife, and son, John. He is survived by his son, Gary Leverett, his daughter, Libby Leverett Crew, devoted son in law, Larry Crew, nine grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 11:00 am followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 pm at Spring Hill Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank , St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Nashville Union Rescue Mission or a charity of your choice.
Spring Hill Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final care of Mr. Leverett. 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37216. (615) 865-1101.
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