Leslie Arriola

“He covers you with his feathers, and under his wings you take refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and armor.”
Psalms 91:4 Institute for Scripture Research (1998)

A Time to be Born
Leslie Arriola Guity was born on November 23, 1976 at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, NY to her father, Alfonso Anibal Arriola Solano and late mother, Maria Laida Guity. She was the third-born child preceded by her older brother, Elvyn R. Arriola Guity and her older sister, Gricel Arriola Guity. Leslie spent her childhood and early adulthood growing up in the Boogie down Bronx and received her formal education in the New York City Public Schools. Leslie was known for being extremely mischievous as a child…she got into absolutely everything! She was never afraid to test the limits; she was fearless in almost everything she did. Even as a small child she had a lively sense of humor, a bold personality, and always brought joy into the room.

A Time to Love
In 1995, she met David Frederick, and in 1996, they moved from New York to Jacksonville, FL. One year later, she gave birth to their first child, Dayvone a playful and energetic baby boy; thereafter, giving birth to their precious daughter, Daisha in 1999 while in Jacksonville. She loved their two children with all her heart and only wanted the best for them.

A Time to Shine
Leslie could BLOW! She had the most beautiful singing voice and is known for being able to sing Mary J. Blige songs better than Mary herself! She had passion, talent, and joy for singing. She could fill a room with her powerful voice and loved to dance. At age 14, she moved to Honduras to live with her aunt Sabina Lino when she happened to compete in a singing contest at a carnival. Leslie took first-place at the contest, singing Ana Gabrielle’s song titled “Siempre.” Because of her larger-than-life personality, Leslie became well-known while living in Honduras. In addition to an extraordinary singing voice, she attracted much attention because she spoke English, Spanish, and even learned her native language, “Garifuna”, while living in Honduras, which is a remarkable
accomplishment given the short amount of time that she resided there.

A Time to Laugh
Leslie always cracked jokes. She made herself laugh. She made others laugh. She could impersonate family members with perfection (we won’t say who). She sometimes made a song out of a desire to bring humor to difficult life circumstances. Leslie would often say “Laughter is good for the soul!”

A Time to Share
Leslie came to be called “La Yankee” in Honduras, similar to saying “New York”, which is what she was affectionately called among friends in Jacksonville. Leslie shared her heart fully and regularly with those whom she encountered. Leslie was giving. She had a heart full of love. In fact, her niece, Diamond, says that “She was the Queen of Hearts because she left a lasting mark on any and everyone who came into contact with her.”

A Time to Depart
Leslie died at UF Health Hospital in Jacksonville, FL on July 9, 2025, with her daughter Daisha sitting by her side until she took her last breath. Though Leslie walked through deep valleys and faced great pain and difficult challenges, she NEVER lost hope and wholeheartedly believed in the POWER OF PRAYER! Leslie will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, tender heart, bright spirit, talent, humor and deep love for family. She fought hard and now rests in the everlasting arms of our Almighty Father, “Yahweh!” Leslie is preceded in death by her mother, Maria Laida Guity, her godparents Mariano (Graciela) Guity and aunt, Nancy Minerva Guity. She is survived by her brother Elvyn (Kimberly) Arriola Guity, Gricel Arriola Guity as well as two children, Dayvone and Daisha Frederick and one grandchild, Nahmir Frederick. She leaves behind three nieces, Diamond Sade Arriola, Briana Gabrielle Bailey, and Sarai Laida Arriola Jacob and two nephews, Chase Bethea and Kyrie Arriola. Leslie was blessed with a host of aunts (including Sabina Lino, Norma Lino, Anarosy Lino Arriola, & Emita [Steve] Bethel), uncles, cousins, god sisters (including Elsie Guity, Thomasa [Curtis] Rhett, and Gladys [Shakiem] Guity), and godbrothers (including Mariano [Terri] Guity and Ali [Cynthia] Guity) who loved her fiercely and assisted in her upbringing. May she now enjoy the sweet peace that only comes from being called home to be with the Lord.

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