Mr. Leslie D. Chastain of Gainesville, GA passed away Monday, July 31, 2023 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, following a brief illness.
During the past five decades, the name Leslie Chastain and the term Southern Gospel Music have been synonymous. For many years, Leslie organized, promoted, and hosted many large events throughout Georgia and the Western Carolinas. Likewise, he was often the “go-to” person when Southern Gospel artists found themselves in need of filling an empty date in an appearance calendar.
Many of today’s Southern Gospel Music’s household names were provided early platforms to showcase their talents and ministries through Leslie’s efforts. Artists such as Karen Peck & New River, The Nelons, The Marksmen, The Perrys, The Hoppers, The Inspirations, The LeFevre Quartet, and dozens more have all benefited from the extensive list of contacts Leslie developed throughout the years, as well as his ability to persuade others to “give this group a chance."
As Leslie entered the last decade of his life, his attention turned to helping the rising artists of Southern Gospel Music. Whether it was helping with concert and church service scheduling, TV appearances, radio interviews, or just simply knocking on the doors of other influential industry people, Leslie would devote all of his time and energy to helping those who he felt were pursuing the goal of a sincere Southern Gospel Music ministry.
Though Leslie enjoyed Southern Gospel Music just as any fan would, he was careful to encourage everyone to not lose sight of the message that is found within the music—the message of Jesus Christ. Only Heaven can reveal the number of souls that will spend eternity with Jesus because of Leslie’s efforts within Southern Gospel Music.
Leslie was diagnosed in the fall of 2022 with stage 4 brain cancer and fought this disease for right at a year now. On Monday, July 31, 2023, he passed away at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Leslie did not have any life insurance or burial insurance and some of gospel music industry's artist have joined in an effort to help with the funeral expenses. Leslie donated selfless hours to helping groups all across the country and now they want to give back to him for his tireless efforts.
We would like to invite anyone that feels led to contribute to this to please do so. Let's honor Leslie by helping with this need. For those of you that do not want to donate here on the Gofundme, https://www.gofundme.com/f/leslie-chastain/donate you can send checks to or call at the number listed for credit card payments:
Memorial Park Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, 2030 Memorial Park Dr, Gainesville, GA 30504 --- Tel: 770-287-8227 for Credit Card Payments
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 7, 2023 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. A private interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.
Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
