After nearly ninety-eight years of living this life to its fullest, Frank Leigh entered a new life of eternal richness and glory with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 6, 2014 in Columbus Mississippi at Leighcrest - the Leigh family home and birthplace of his father. Frank was born on November 28, 1916 in Meridian, Mississippi to Dr. Beverly Matthews Leigh and Annie Wade Leigh. His life-long values of caring for others, working hard, embracing an optimistic outlook, and leaving things better than you find them, form a legacy that will live on through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frank was well known for his creativity, vision, boundless energy and his "can-do" attitude. At age eleven, he and his good friend, Johnny Washington, formed a car "company" they named Washington and Leigh. Hoping to rival Ford Motor Company, they built a working automobile out of random used car parts. As a teenager, Frank was restless sitting in classrooms, preferring the classroom of life instead. He was a "doer", desiring to be outdoors or building and repairing anything. Frank spent many summers and later attended high school in Columbus where he lived at Leighcrest with his aunts, who were educators. Under their watchful guidance, Frank graduated from S. D. Lee High School in Columbus and in turn, from Mississippi State College in 1940 where he was President of Kappa Alpha Order. His greatest accomplishment while in college was winning the heart of Martha Polk. They soon became quintessential members of our country's "greatest generation" the week following the stunning attack on Pearl Harbor as Martha and Frank eloped and Frank joined the Navy. Throughout the war, they both served our country well. Martha helped supply our armed forces by working in a munitions factory and Frank served as Executive Officer on the USS Foley in the Mediterranean Sea. Returning home after the war, Frank joined Buick Motor Division where he spent 33 years rising through ranks of management. Promotions at Buick moved Martha and Frank to many cities across the country, including New Orleans, Charlotte, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Along the way, they were blessed with four beautiful girls, Martha Jr., Mary, Frances, and Beverly. When Frank retired from Buick, he and Martha returned to Columbus where they spent the next decade planning and working on the restoration of Leighcrest. Over his life, Frank contributed greatly to the Columbus community, including the development of Leigh Mall. Frank's servant-leadership was evidenced by his tireless work to ensure the availability of quality education in Mississippi. His determined efforts helped raise needed funds to restore the financial security of Mississippi University For Women when the school was facing closure. One of his most treasured achievements was his instrumental role in the launch of The Mississippi School For Mathematics and Science. Frank absolutely adored his wife. On the seventy-third anniversary of their elopement, they held hands listening to their love song, Stardust, quietly celebrating with their family. As a loving father, Frank cared deeply and provided generously for his daughters. Stories of sewing suede mini-skirts for his girls and teaching them to fish, ice skate, water ski and even renovate a horse trailer will be told for years to come. He spent many nights waiting up well past midnight for future sons-in-law to return his daughters home safely after a date. As a grandfather, Frank delighted in making his grandchildren's visits to Leighcrest as enriching as his were as a boy. Frank is survived by his wife of 73 years, Martha Polk Leigh, his daughters, Frances Leigh McCarty (Rucker), Beverly Leigh Truslow (Don), his 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 Kent Truslow, his great grandchildren, Anna Grace McCloskey, Mary Beverly McCloskey, Margaret James McCloskey, Elizabeth James McCloskey, Vivian Ashe Blalock, Benjamin Rucker Woods, Robert McCarty Woods and Frances Mary Craine. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Martha Polk Leigh, Jr. and Mary Leigh Blalock, his brothers and sisters, Col. Beverly Matthews Leigh, Jr., Mary Dudley Leigh Pugh, Robert Turner Leigh, Virginia Leigh Cox, and Jack Pendleton Leigh. While his family will miss him immensely, they take special delight in his joyous reunion with his daughters, Martha and Mary. The family will hold a private graveside service. To accommodate family members, a memorial service celebrating the life of Frank Melancthon Leigh will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the memory of Frank may be honored through gifts to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or Mississippi University For Women, both located in Columbus, Ms. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14: 1-3 ESV The family expresses their deepest gratitude and appreciation to Frank's wonderful caregivers. The family wishes to pay special tribute to Anna Peters for her love, honor, and dedication to Frank and his family over so many years.
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