Leslie Faye Shepherd Cole was born on Monday, April 12, 1948 in Belzoni, Mississippi. She was the eldest of three daughters born to John Fay and Thelma Payne Shepherd. On Monday, March 18, 2024 she departed from her earthly life to enter into her heavenly home.

Leslie Faye attended public schools in Humphreys County, Mississippi and the family moved to New York City in 1955 where Faye continued her education in the New York City public school system. She graduated in 1966 from Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria Heights, New York. Faye spent her years between New York and Mississippi and attended Coahoma College in Clarksdale, MS. She worked a variety of jobs in New York City including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Bell Atlantic Telephone Company. She was united in marriage to Robert Cole on March 26, 1991 and shortly thereafter moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

She leaves to mourn her passing two daughters, Thelia Shepherd Gary (Cedric) of Charlotte, NC; Catherine Dunlap (LaMont) of Pittsburgh, PA; two sisters, Pamela Shepherd Benbow (Wilbur "Pete") of Myrtle Beach, SC; Gayle Shepherd Grannum of Charlotte, NC; one uncle, Herbert L. Payne (Elsie) of Brentwood, NY; one aunt, Judy Shepherd of Los Angeles, CA; three grandchildren, Terrance Shepherd, Kiearra Gary, and Chaleesia Gary of Charlotte, NC; one special goddaughter, Theresa Lovelace of Charlotte, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.