Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Blair McLeod

Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Blair McLeod was born on February 26, 1928. She was the only child of Lawrence Andrew Blair and Velma Thomas Blair, who preceded her in death. She was born and raised in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

She married her high school sweetheart, John Franklin McLeod, Jr., who died in 2007 after sixty years of marriage.

She graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1946, and later studied piano and organ at Converse College and Mars Hill College. She taught piano and organ for many years and not only taught her students how to play, but instilled in them love and appreciation of good music.

She was a church musician and had served as organist or substitute organist at many local churches.

She loved her family, her friends, her church, and music. She especially loved accompanying her granddaughter, Cathey, when she sang.

She had been a member of the Junior Welfare Club, Girl Scout troop leader, a 50 plus year member of P.E.O. Chapter O, and a member of Joseph McDowell Chapter DAR.

She is survived by her three children: Elizabeth M. Barber Girard, Anne M. Ridings, and John Franklin McLeod III. Additionally, she is survived by her four precious granddaughters and their husbands: Beth R. Pope and Tim, Cathey R. Gilbert and Chip, Blair M. McCauley and Joe, Laurie M. Bruffy and Tyler. She is also survived by two great-grandsons, Hunter Pope and Evan Sapp. Also surviving are John Barber (Kathy), Robert Barber (Robin), Jann Girard (Ellis), Dian Girard Johns (James), Jay Girard (Leigh) and their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Susan B. Coppedge. She is survived by three sisters-in-law, several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in the Sanctuary of Hendersonville Presbyterian Church officiated by the Reverend Dr. Bill Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hendersonville High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 1 Bearcat Boulevard, Hendersonville, NC 28791; or Hendersonville Presbyterian Church Renovation Fund, 699 North Grove Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792; or P.E.O. Foundation, c/o Nancy Leonard, 243 Sugar Hollow Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28739.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.