Leslie was born Dec. 3, 1969, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia, to Richard and Janice Mata.

She grew up in the San Francisco area of California. She attended Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo, Calif., Then graduated from Laguna Hills High School in California.

Following high school, she worked in customer support and various administrative positions.

In 1991, she enlisted and served six years in the Army Reserves, based out of Mountain View, Calif.

After relocating to North Carolina, she applied her entrepreneurial skills to establish several small business ventures in the Fayetteville and Raeford area.

She was actively involved in fundraising for military servicemen and their families.

Leslie is survived by her husband, Kris Meyer and his family; her father, Dick Mata; her mother, Janice Kittner; and her sisters, Allison Millana and Margaret Kittner.

Her magnetic and larger-than-life personality and loving heart will be missed by all those who knew her.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, in Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Funeral services will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Forces Charitable Trust.