Martha Polk Leigh

MARTHA POLK LEIGH; May 17, 1921 – May 26, 2018

On May 26, 2018, Martha Polk Leigh of Columbus, Mississippi entered eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Martha was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 17, 1921 to Oguerita Morrison Polk and Russell Turnage Polk. She is survived by her daughters, Frances Leigh McCarty (Rucker), Beverly Leigh Truslow (Don), her eight grandchildren, Beverly Blalock McCloskey (Jim), John Butler Blalock, IV (Ellen), Frank Melancthon Leigh Blalock, Leigh McCarty Woods (Ben), Ansley McCarty Craine (Will), Ann Truslow Siak (Mark), Stuart Auchincloss Truslow, II, Martha Truslow Smith (Noah), and her twelve great grandchildren, Anna Grace McCloskey, Mary Beverly McCloskey, Margaret James McCloskey, Elizabeth James McCloskey, Vivian Ashe Blalock, John Butler Blalock, V , Benjamin Rucker Woods, Robert McCarty Woods, Frances Mary Craine, Robert Hosea Craine, Frances Morrison Siak, and Henry Kent Siak. She was preceded in death by her daughters Marth Polk Leigh, Jr. and Mary Leigh Blalock, and her husband, Frank Melancthon Leigh.

Martha was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and Okolona, Mississippi. She met Frank Leigh while attending Mississippi College for Women. Just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Frank enlisted in the Navy and they eloped on December 13, 1941. Throughout the war, Frank served in the Mediterranean theater and Martha worked in a munitions factory on a schedule that only allowed one day off per month. She saved all of her earnings in order to provide a comfortable start to their lives together when Frank returned safely at the end of the war. Frank began his career at General Motors which spanned 33 years and took them to several cities across the country, including New Orleans, Charlotte, Jacksonville, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Along the way, Martha and Frank were blessed with four daughters. At each stop, Martha created a loving, comforting, and warm home for her family. Frank and Martha retired to Columbus where they restored Leighcrest, the Leigh family home which was built in 1840. Over the years, they were active members of the Columbus community, supporting several important educational initiatives. Martha was also a member of the Columbus Garden Club and Daughters of the King at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Behind the scenes, Martha would often quietly reach out and help people around her who were in need. She was delighted to meet and welcome those who were new to Columbus, having been a newcomer herself in the past as she and Frank moved

many times during his career with General Motors. Martha treasured her multi-generational friendships and the opportunities they afforded her to learn from people of all ages and stages of life.

As an only child, Martha’s heart’s desire while growing up was to have her own family, and she prayed diligently that she would marry a wonderful man and have four daughters. God answered those prayers. Martha cherished her roles as wife and mother and delighted in filling her home with love and beauty. She and Frank were great partners as she complimented his gift for creative ideas with her business acumen, attention to detail and practicality. They were great dance partners as well; dancing together until well into their eighties. Both of them were fun-loving, spunky and filled with optimism. Martha had a great sense of style and enjoyed arranging fresh-cut garden flowers, wonderful antique furniture, and beautiful clothes. Every meal was lovingly prepared for her family, and she made sure that mealtimes were a place for the family to gather and share with one another. Martha ensured that her family’s home was a place of security and unconditional love. She took time to listen and provide comfort to her daughters on all issues, large or small, as well as celebrate their victories. She adored her family and they adored her.

In all that she did, Martha modeled an abiding and reverent faith in Jesus Christ. She ensured that her family attended church, and she especially loved participating in the Wednesday healing and prayer services. She loved her Lord and fully trusted in Him when two of her daughters were seriously ill. In difficult times, Martha’s unwavering faith was the foundation for her inner strength and a source of inspiration for her family and friends.

The family will hold a visitation for guests at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Mississippi at 1:00 on Sunday, June 3, 2018, followed by a funeral service celebrating Martha’s life in the sanctuary at 2:00. The family will conclude with a private graveside committal service. In lieu of flowers, the memory of Martha may be honored through gifts to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or Mississippi University for Women, both located in Columbus, Mississippi. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (I Corinthians 2:9). “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and

prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14: 1-3). While her family will greatly miss Martha, they are comforted by her joyous reunion in heaven with her husband Frank and her daughters, Martha and Mary.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the many caregivers who so lovingly cared for Martha in her final years. The family especially wishes to honor Anna Peters for the love, care and tireless support she has given to Martha, Frank, Martha, Jr. and the entire family.