Michael Earl McLeod

He graduated from Semmes High School in 1965 and immediately started attending Auburn University. He received his bachelor’s degree in business and was accepted into the MBA program, graduating a year later. During his sophomore year he married Sarah Spann, and they had a son Michael Scott McLeod. He taught at a community college in a nearby town for 2 years. He was accepted into the Ph.D. in Economics program at Auburn University where he worked as a teaching assistant. After 4 years of graduate work, he received his Ph.D. in Economics and moved to the University of Richmond. Two years later he moved to Augusta College where he and Sarah divorced. After a few years he met Mary Williams who was working at Augusta Prep where her mother was headmaster. Mary had moved to Augusta after divorcing her first husband. After one date he knew that it was love at first sight-or at least first date. They got engaged in December and were married in April by Mary’s father who was an Episcopal priest. At this time, he added two sons Ryan Fletcher Williams and Vaughn Andrew Williams (deceased 2021) from Mary’s first marriage. In May of the following year Rory Chapman McLeod was born. Shortly after that, they moved to Greenville, North Carolina, where Mike was initially employed as an assistant professor of Economics and Computer Information Systems. Two years later David Bruister McLeod was born. Mike and his family attended St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Greenville where Mike served on the Vestry 3 times and taught the Adult Sunday school class for several years. Mike worked hard at ECU and shortly after he was promoted to associate professor. Eighteen years from Mike starting work at ECU, Mary’s mother developed Alzheimer’s disease while living at their retirement home in Spartanburg, SC. Mike and Mary decided to move closer to help them navigate this process. Mike and Mary both retired in 2011. Retiring gave them both the opportunity to share their passion, Travel-especially cruising. They accumulated 394 days at sea and visited 54 countries.

During their time in Western Carolina, Mike and Mary attended St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Boone, NC. They mostly attended the 8:00 service in the small chapel which provided for some beautiful friendships among that small group. Mike served as a lay-reader on many occasions. Our Rector, Cyndi Banks has provided such amazing spiritual guidance over her 20 years at St. Luke’s enhancing our faith and our lives.

Mike’s health began to decline leading to kidney failure at age 72. He began dialysis and has been on dialysis for 3 ½ years. He decided to stop dialysis, meaning he would die shortly. AMOREM Hospice and Palliative care were contacted to provide care and comfort in his last days.

A celebration of his life will take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church later.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Michael Earl McLeod.