Martha Ellis Leake

Martha Ellis Leake was born in 1925 in Ellisville, Alabama. She was the daughter of Watt Andy Ellis, Sr. and Linnie Little Ellis. She is survived by her devoted husband of thirty-eight years, Robert E. Leake, Jr., and her son, Paul A. Lea, Jr. and his wife, Mary Lea, and their children John Paul Lea, Catherine Lea and Charlotte Lea, and her daughter, Janet Lea Street and her husband Bruce Street, and their child Courtney Street Hedrick, also by her step children Robin Leake, Victoria Kennedy, Fields Leake, and Rebekah Winter. She is predeceased by her parents, and one grandson, Cameron Addison Street. Dr. Lea graduated from Auburn University, received a masters degree in social work from University of North Carolina, and later a medical degree from Tulane University. She served a Tulane residency at Charity Hospital in ophthalmology and was board certified. Dr. Lea was on the staff at West Jefferson Hospital and practiced ophthalmology at Westside Eye Clinic until her retirement in 1995. She was a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Academy, and New Orleans Association of Ophthalmologists. She also was on the faculty at Tulane Medical School. In addition, she was a member of Chi Omega, Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), Timberlane Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Le Petit Salon and The Orleans Club. Martha was a remarkable woman. She was ahead of her time as one of only three women in her medical school class. She was that rare mix of southern lady with impeccable manners who was also an accomplished surgeon with a compassionate bedside manner. She decided to go to medical school at the time she was working as a psychiatric social worker at Charity Hospital when she realized, “I can petit point, so I could be a surgeon,” and that is exactly what she became. Her children remember her as a loving mother and an ideal role model who taught them to believe in themselves. But of all the choices she made, Martha would say that marrying Bob Leake was the best one. They both said that they never had an argument, and when asked about this, Martha replied, “What would we argue about?” The lived by a credo of ever-present kindness, and it was a blessing to be a witness to their love. Mrs. Leake will be celebrated in a private ceremony for family only on Monday, June 29, 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions to PEO, the Philanthropic Educational Organization. https://www.peointernational.org .

Martha Ellis Leake

March 14, 1925 - June 25, 2020