Obituary asks people to honor murdered Troy woman with random acts of kindness
.jpeg "This photo accompanies the obituary of Leslie J. Reeves, 45, of Troy, who was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day in Farmersville. Her funeral service will be private.")
A funeral service for Leslie J. Reeves, the Troy woman murdered on Thanksgiving Day in Farmersville, will be private.
But her obituary offers suggestions for local residents who want to honor the well-known business owner, self-defense instructor, advocate for domestic-abuse victims and mother of two.
People can contribute to an education fund for Reeves’ children, Lawson and Larkin, who are students at St. John Neumann Catholic School in Maryville.
“Another special way to honor Leslie would be to reach out with help to someone in need or do a random act of kindness,” states her obituary on the website of Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville.
Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies found Reeves, 45, dead from a gunshot wound on Nov. 25 at the home of Christopher J. Smith, 48, who also was critically injured.
State’s Attorney Andrew Affrunti charged Robert “Bobby” J. Tarr, 48, of Collinsville, with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Reeves and Tarr had dated in the past.
Reeves was the owner of All You Studio & Party Place in Troy.
“Leslie was known for her beautiful smile, living life to the fullest and helping others,” according to her obituary. “Her greatest joy was her children and her time with them was the happiest times of her life.
“Leslie’s favorite hobbies ... were dancing, exercising, art, collecting shoes, travel, cats, and listening to 80s music. Leslie excelled academically and went from being a proud Kahok to a Miner to a Jayhawk.”
Reeves was a cheerleader at Collinsville High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the former University of Missouri Rolla and a master’s at University of Kansas. She worked as a petroleum engineer before operating a fitness studio.
Reeves is survived by her mother, Lynette Grothe, of Collinsville, her father, Richard Sphar of Franklin, Tennessee, one sister and other family and friends.
A celebration of life for Reeves is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 8, at The Outlet at Edison’s Entertainment Complex in Edwardsville, the Alton Telegraph reported. That gathering isn’t listed in her obituary.