Leslie Matheson Sandy

Mr. Leslie Matheson Sandy of Raeford passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst at the age of 93.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred Walker Sandy and was a member of Philippi Presbyterian Church.

Leslie was one of the eight children of the late Lloyd Allen Sandy and Maude Davis Sandy. He joined the US Navy in 1944 and is a World War II Veteran. It was his strong desire to learn more that prompted him to leave home when he was nineteen years old to pursue a professional career in music and to meet other musicians who could share their knowledge that would influence him to become the outstanding fiddle player known by many.

Leslie, a well-known bluegrass singer has been featured on radio programs around the country including The Louisiana Hayride in New Orleans and the Suwannee River Jamboree in Live Oak, Florida, The Briar Hoppers, Slim Mims and The Dream Ranch Boys, Snuffy Jenkins and The Hired Hands, Arthur Smith and The Cracker Jacks, Curly Mulligan and The Sundowners and Jim and Jesse McReynolds and The Virginia Boys. 

In 1953, he was privileged to play the bass fiddle for Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry as one of his Bluegrass Boys. After three years on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, he went to Wilmington, North Carolina. There he established his own television show called The Carolina Jamboree on WMFD (now WECT). A young Charlie Daniels was a frequent guest on this show. You can read more by visiting Leslie’s website, lesliesandy.com 

He is survived by two sons, Ricky L. Sandy and his wife Kathy of Raeford and Isaac Allen Sandy of Fort Lauderdale, FL, a granddaughter Lindsay King and her husband Russell of Winnabow, NC,  three great-grandchildren, Christopher, Channing, and Eisley, a brother Eldon Sandy of Carthage, NC, along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 2:45 pm Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Philippi Presbyterian Church, 2800 Philippi Presbyterian Church Road, Raeford, NC.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday at the Philippi Presbyterian Church with Pastors Mike Baker and Toby Neal officiating.

Interment will be in the Church Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Philippi Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

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