Leslie Suzanne Carls

Leslie Suzanne Carls was born to Ida Mae Posey and Samuel Johnson McKee on June 28, 1945 in Vallejo, California. She spent most of her life in northern Virginia, graduating from Jeb Stuart High School in 1963.

Leslie was married in 1964 to John Patrick Balchunas who passed in 1969. John and Leslie had two daughters—Mary and Kristin. Leslie was later married to Joseph Francis Carls, Sr. in 1973. Joe and Leslie had four additional children—Edward, Kathleen, Michelle, and Joseph, Jr. They raised their family in Burke, Virginia where she worked for various organizations, most recently in the Fairfax County Public Schools.

Leslie and Joe retired to Williamsburg, Virginia where they spent many happy years. After years of personal research on her family heritage, Leslie was honorably inducted into the Williamsburg chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Leslie and Joe moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where they celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage before his passing in 2023. Leslie remained in Charlottesville nearby family. Leslie passed away on January 31, 2024 in the company of family. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, her niece and nephew, and her sister. She devoted her life to family as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

A celebration of her life will be held at Buckhall United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia on Saturday, February 10 at 1pm. All are welcome.