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Obituary for Eloise Francis Leech
Eloise Francis Leech, 87, Madison, MS, passed peacefully from this life into the next and met her Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 20, 2016. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 23, from 12:30 – 2:00 pm, with her funeral at 2:00 pm, in the Chapel of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi. Burial will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Eloise was born in Smithville, Mississippi, November 26, 1928, to Hollis Lee Francis and Esther Elizabeth Young Francis. Eloise graduated from Smithville High School in 1946, and she became a licensed cosmetologist. She married Stephen Herschel Leech, also from Smithville, on December 26, 1948,and they moved to Jackson where Herschel was employed with the Standard Oil Company, later Chevron USA, for almost 40 years. Eloise was a stay-at-home mother for 24 years. In 1977, she obtained her real estate salesman license and later her broker’s license. She was associated with Leech Real Estate beginning in October 1977 until December 1999. She was a Million-Dollar Producer for 12 years, and a Two-Million Dollar Producer for two years, and she was actively involved in The Jackson Board of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, and the Women’s Council of Realtors, serving as secretary in 1986. Eloise loved helping people in the community. She was appointed to the Mississippi Arts Center/Planetarium Commission by the Mayor of the City of Jackson in July 1983; appointed by the Jackson School Superintendent to the Committee for the Evaluation of Jackson Public Schools in 1982; and served as a board member of the Community Nursing Home. She was a board member of the South Jackson Civic League, the South Jackson Development Council, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the Hinds County Mental Health Association. She was a founder of the Hinds General Hospital Auxiliary; an active member of the Jackson Public Schools PTA for 24 years, serving as President and on the Jackson PTA Council for several years; and participated in membership and fund drives for the Mississippi Arts Association, Jackson Symphony League (including cookbook sales), March of Dimes, Easter Seals, and the United Way. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother for five years. She was an active member of Capitol Street United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, was a member of the Women of the United Methodist Church and the Education Committee, and the Social Concern Committee Chair. She and Herschel later joined Alta Woods United Methodist Church where she served on the Finance Committee. Eloise was quick to point out however, that her major accomplishments in life were her four children and their families. Eloise was preceded in death by her husband, Herschel; her parents Hollis and Esther Francis; her infant brother, James Arlan Francis; and her oldest son, Steve Leech. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Jane Mitchell Leech of Ridgeland; son, John Leech (Pam Marshall) of Mobile, Ala.; her son, Bill Leech (Vicki Stringfellow) of Jackson; and her daughter, Beth Leech Moore (Kendall) of Madison; 12 grandchildren: Meg Leech Hanes; Clay Leech (Lauren Bullard) ; Katie Leech Ebers (Eric) John Leech, Jr.; Jordan Leech; Annie Leech; Maggie Leech; William Leech, Jr; Caroline Lowery; Kendall Moore, Jr; Kyle Moore; and Elise Moore; and 3 great-grandchildren: Katie Margaret Hanes; Chris Hanes; and Greyson Leech. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Stephen Herschel and Eloise Francis Leech Endowed Scholarship at Millsaps College, 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39210; the American Heart Association; or the Alzheimer’s Association.
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