Mary Esther Beam Leigh was born to Ernest and Esther Beam in 1940 and married
Raymond Thomas Leigh in 1963. They had 3 children [Elizabeth (Libby) Leigh, Rodney
(Blue) Leigh, and Gary Leigh] and 4 grandchildren (Alexander Leigh, Mary E. Leigh,
Thomas Leigh, and Emma Leigh). Mary also had a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Eaker Leigh,
who cared for her every day of the last 8 years. Mary was known as "Meme" to her
grandchildren, and eventually her children.
Mary will be remembered as selfless and nurturing to her family and her friends. She
worked at Shelby Savings bank for over 40 years and never met a stranger. She loved
traveling, shopping, going out to eat, and dancing. Some of our best memories with her
were weekends at Lake Norman at the family cabin and regular trips to Myrtle Beach.
Everyone who met her loved her instantly. Alex, her oldest grandchild, remembers that
his friends all called her "their Meme," because she always made everyone feel like
family. Mary had a way of making everyone feel seen, loved, and special. She also was
full of wit and sass, never missing the opportunity to make us laugh. She was truly an
angel on earth, and her love will continue to live on through the beautiful memories we
hold in our hearts.
Mary's family invites you to Visitation at Cecil Burton Funeral Home at 10 am, Friday
October 17, 2025, followed by a Memorial Service in their Chapel. Afterwards, there will
be a Graveside Service at Elizabeth Baptist Church Cemetery.