Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Steward Mcleod

Doctor Benjamin (Ben) Stewart McLeod

Doctor Benjamin (Ben) Stewart McLeod passed away on July 11th, 2016 at the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama. He was surrounded by his wife and children when he left this world. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Ben, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, was 73 years old and was born on December 24th, 1942. His family always went out of their way to make sure his birthday didn't get overshadowed by holiday festivities and was extra-special since it fell on Christmas Eve.

Ben McLeod was the son of Andin Capps McLeod and Theta Stewart McLeod. He graduated high school from Leakesville, High School in Leakesville, Mississippi. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he also played football as an offensive and defense end. It was at Southern Miss that Ben met the love of his life Betty "Boo" McLeod and started their journey together. Ben attended Dental School at the University of Alabama and entered the U.S. Air Force as a practicing dentist and captain.

After serving his tour of service at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Ben left the Air Force and settled into Meridian, Mississippi where he and Betty raised their kids Monty and Dyrc (and a lot of their friends as well). Ben built a dental practice in Meridian that touched the lives of hundreds of folks for over forty years.

Ben loved his children and grandchildren and whether it was a baseball game or a birthday party, he moved heaven and earth to be a part of life's big and little moments.

He also loved his Northwood Country Club Golf group. This 'band of brothers' shared many memories, trials, and triumphs.

But most of all...Ben McLeod loved his Betty. Whether it was a lazy afternoon at their home in Meridian, or taking in a movie while at their get-away home in Destin, Florida, Ben adored his soulmate just as much on their recent 52nd wedding anniversary as he did the day he took her hand back in 1964.

Ben is survived by his wife, Betty Cooper McLeod; daughter, Monty McLeod Mann; son, Dyrc Stewart Mcleod; son-in-law, Scott Mann; daughter-in-law, Allison McLeod; grandchildren, Cody, Cooper and Brayden Mann, and Greer McLeod; brother, Andin Capps McLeod; and sister, Faye McLeod Mullis.

Ben McLeod is preceded in death by his father Andin Capps McLeod and mother Theta Stewart McLeod.

In liue of flowers, the family request memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.

A private memorial will be held with Ben's friends and family. Ben made it clear to all who knew him that he wanted us to celebrate his passing as a testament to life's beauty and more importantly that family and time together are life's most precious gifts. The McLeod Family hopes that his passing serves as a strong reminder to all that knew him and to those who read this of these simple truths.