Dr. Georgia Rae Leeds

Dr. Georgia R. Leeds, 75, passed away July 8, 2011 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was born on November 3, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa to Herbert and Helen Black. Georgia attended Muskogee Public Schools, Bacone, NSU, and OU. She married Jesse Lee Leeds Sr. in July of 1955. Georgia received a PhD in History at the University of Oklahoma. She retired as a History Teacher from Muskogee High School and became a History Professor for Connors State College and Northeastern State College. She was also a Graduate Assistant at the University of Oklahoma. Friends and family nicknamed her “Doc Leeds”. Georgia had many hobbies. She enjoyed music, photography, gardening, collecting art, clocks, American Indian artifacts, and writing. In 1996, Georgia published a book titled, “The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma“. She was a member of several Clubs and fraternal organizations, such as: Five Civilized Tribes, Girl Scouts of America, American Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Who’s Who Among American Educators, Board Member for the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, and President/Board Member for Girl Scouts of the Lakewood Council. Georgia is preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Jesse Lee Leeds Sr. She is survived by her children; Eydie Halstead of Muskogee; Jesse Leeds Jr. and wife, Dianne of Las Vegas, NV; Jan Ross and husband Mike of Muskogee; and Leslie Scott and husband Randy of Muskogee; grandchildren, Autumn, Stoni, & John Halstead, Danielle and Aubrie Leeds, Chad Bell and Jessica Gibson, Will and Reynolds Matthews, Amanda Campbell and Nicole Nail, Brea Battenfield and Clint Scott; great grandchildren, Kaylee and Briannna Bryson, Linzy Gibson, Jake and Jaxson Nail; sisters, Brenda and husband Charlie Wilbourn of Muskogee and her children Randy Weeks and Keven Clift; and Madelon Tirey of Atlanta, GA; numerous nieces and nephews of the Leeds family. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum or the American Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Services will be 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rusty Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematory, 1830 North York Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com .

Dr. Georgia Rae Leeds

November 3, 1935 - July 8, 2011