HOME GOING SERVICE : SATURADAY, JULY 1, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m. @ PARADISE #1 CHURCH IN MARIANNA, ARKANSAS / BURIAL : WEDNESDAY 5, 2017 @ 1:00p.m. IN THE V.A. CEMETERY IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Dr. Leon Meredith Waddy, Jr. was born December 31, 1942 in Pittsburg, PA to the late Dr. Leon Meredith Waddy, Sr. and Mabel Jones Waddy. On Tuesday, June 20, 2017, our heavenly father summoned Leon home.
Leon was converted at an early age and attended Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, PA. He later joined Bellevue Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. After moving to Marianna, he joined Paradise #1 M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. E.H. Garrett, where he remained until his untimely death.
Leon graduated from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburg, PA. He worked several years for the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, DC, while attending Howard University. He served in the U.S. Army from June 1965-1967, where his Specialty was 02B30 Trumpet Player. Leon received a National Defense Service Medal Sharp Shooter (Rifle) award and The Good Conduct Medal. After completing his military service, Leon returned to Washington, DC, where he completed his degree in Music Education. After a brief time teaching in the New York School System, he decided to follow his father’s footsteps and attend Medical School at MeHarry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Leon worked for the Public Health Service Corp and did his Internship at Hurley Medical Center/Michigan St. Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.
Dr. Waddy moved to Marianna in 1979 and decided to make Marianna his home. He worked at the Lee County Cooperative Clinic and later set up his Private Practice in 1989. Dr. Waddy worked as a general practice physician and was presently working for Webber Family Medical Complex part-time.
On June 6, 1981, he was united in Holy Matrimony to his lovely wife, Janis Smith Waddy. To this union, two children were born, Leon Marcellus Waddy and LyRayna Michole Waddy.
Dr. Waddy was a phenomenal husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed every moment spent with his family and rarely complained about anything. He was always optimistic and worked hard to perfect every task that he came across. His loyalty and integrity was greatly appreciated by his family and friends and will always leave an everlasting impression.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Leon M and Mabel Jones Waddy, and his father-in-law, John Y and Hattie L. Smith.
He leaves o cherish his memories his wife of thirty-six years Janis Smith Waddy, son, Leon Marcellus Waddy (Marianna) and daughter LyRayna Michole Waddy ( Little Rock). He also leaves two precious grandchildren whom he adored and spent a lot of time with, Isyss Leah Wade and Gregory Isaac Wade (Little Rock); two sisters, A. Lavern Yee ( Dr. Charles Yee), Tampa, FL; Carole Waddy, Scottsdale, AZ; one brother, Dr. Edward Waddy (Marlene) of Ellicott City, MD; three sister-in-laws, Eloise Turner, Ackron, OH, Alma Brunson (Crawford), Duncanville, TX, and Christine Smith of Marianna, AR; three brothers-in-law , Elvin Smith, Chicago, IL, John Smith, Jr. of Marianna and Arnet Smith of Moro, AR; one God-child, Carmika King Williams; and a host of nieces, nephew, and other relatives, and friends.
7 Comments
I am older than my cousin, Bucky, but I remember him from when I was living in Rankin. May The Good Lord bless his widow and the rest of the family.
I was much too young to remember Bucky during family visits to Aunt Mabel and Uncle Leon’s home in Pittsburgh. I was six when his parents moved to Washington, DC. I do remember seeing Bucky sitting at a piano once at Howard University, and I have a distinct memory of him at his parents’ house on Michigan Avenue in the summer of 1976. Five of us were about to embark on a trip ‘down south’. He walked us to the car to leave and gave us the Peace sign.
As I recall, Bucky was very quiet and reserved and I found that refreshing. We connected somewhat when I sent him a number of e-mails about his mother’s ancestry. At first he never replied to those e-mails, but when I stopped sending them, he wrote me asking me to resume sending them to him.
Bucky struck me as someone who was genuinely nice and I can imagine he was rather personable to his patients as well as to everyone who knew him
Robert Jackson
I’m so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. “Bucky”, as we cousins called him, was a quiet soul and I’ll always remember our families growing up together in Pittsburgh. Even though we didn’t see each other often in our adult years, we will meet again in eternity. God’s peace and comfort be with you at this difficult time. Psalm 116:15
my sympathy on the passing of your loved one. i have many good memmories of growing up with bucky in rankin and homewood. rest in peace bucky. your cousin richard
So sorry for your loss
Very good Doctor was my doctor for years and will be missed
I didn’t get to see Bucky (Leon) much during the second half of his life. I have to assume that’s because he was so content with his life in Marianna with Janis, his family, and friends. Thank you Janis, Marcellus, Rayna and kids, and Marianna.
We had a great childhood enjoying the company of many friends and family in Pittsburgh and Washington,D.C.
Bucky was born again way before me; so, I know where he is, and I will see him again!
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