Dr. Melanie Boyd Leak, DDS, born January 1, 1955, in Tarboro, North Carolina, entered eternal rest on September 20, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the age of 70. A loving wife and highly respected sister, friend, and community leader.
Fondly known as Melanie, Dr. Leak dedicated her life to providing compassionate care and improving the lives of those she served. Known for her steady professionalism, warm spirit, and commitment to excellence, she was admired by colleagues, family, and friends alike.
She will also be lovingly remembered for her elegant style, her collection of beautiful hats, and her signature red nails —touches of grace that reflected her vibrant spirit.
A proud fourth-generation college graduate, Dr. Leak began her studies at Tuskegee University, where she cherished her time as a majorette in the Tuskegee University Marching Band, creating lifelong memories and friendships. She received dual degrees Bachelor of Science degrees at North Carolina A&T and North Carolina State University. She then attained her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at The Ohio State University, beginning a distinguished career in dentistry marked by skill, compassion, and service.
Just as she excelled professionally, she was most proud of her role as a devoted mother. She was ecstatic to have raised all of her children to follow in her footsteps of educational excellence when all four of her children attended a Historically Black College orUniversity, a legacy she regarded with the utmost respect and joy.
Dr. Leak was deeply committed to service and sisterhood. She was a proud third-generation and Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was also alumna and 30-year member of the Columbus (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, as well as a dedicated member of Girl Friends, Incorporated, the National Smart Set, the Women's Auxiliary of the National Medical Association, the North Easterners, and the Birthday Club. She also served with distinction as Past President of the Columbus Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and later an Associate Member. Through these organizations, she built lifelong friendships, championed education and service, and uplifted her community. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. W. David Leak; her beloved grandmother, Caroline Elizabeth O'Hara; her loving parents, H. Thomas C. and Ruby E. Boyd; her precious uncle and aunt, Gilbert and Jean Rivers, her loving uncle and aunt Walter C. and Ethel Boyd and her dear sweet cousins Janie Denise Boyd and Paul Jerome Rivers.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving children: W. Dawn Leak, Meghan Leak Benzegala, MBA (Mo), Mia Leak, and William Leak (Lisa) and her cherished granddaughter, Cambria. She is also survived by her devoted siblings: H. Thomas C. Boyd, Stellyne E. Curtis, Esq., Raphael O. Boyd, JD, MBA and Tyra M. Powell, MBA (Victor MS). She was the proud aunt of Staff (Tammy), Joshua (Detrice), Dr. Marcus Cowan, DDS (Donya PhD/MD), Lauren C. Lucas, Pharm. D (Rick), Brianna D. Powell, MBA, Brittany M. Powell, and Victoria O. Powell, MS (Roger); and an even prouder great-aunt of Donovan, Caden, Aubrey, Richie, and Reign. She was a loving cousin to the Hon. Acie Ward, Emily Carnegie (daughter Stephanie), Ranay Dudley (Gregory and Gregory Jr.), Walter Boyd (Laura, daughters Latoya and Ashley), Ethel Peed (Earle), Gilbert Rivers (Julia), James Rivers (Vicki), and Mitchell Rivers (Tonya). She also shared lifelong bonds with her chosen sister, Belle Hillman (Larry), chosen brother, Dr. Carl Jefferies, and chosen niece Raquel Davidson Brown, whose love, devotion, and friendship were constant sources of strength, pride and joy, and a host of sorors and friends that will hold her memory close.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2811 Poole Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27610. A memorial service will also be held in Columbus, Ohio, at a later date, allowing family and friends there to gather in love and remembrance.
Flowers, condolences, and donations can be mailed to StellyneCurtis at 3305 Barwell Road Raleigh, NC 27610.
Fondly known as Melanie, Dr. Leak dedicated her life to providing compassionate care and improving the lives of those she served. Known for her steady professionalism, warm spirit, and commitment to excellence, she was admired by colleagues, family, and friends alike.
She will also be lovingly remembered for her elegant style, her collection of beautiful hats, and her signature red nails —touches of grace that reflected her vibrant spirit.
A proud fourth-generation college graduate, Dr. Leak began her studies at Tuskegee University, where she cherished her time as a majorette in the Tuskegee University Marching Band, creating lifelong memories and friendships. She received dual degrees Bachelor of Science degrees at North Carolina A&T and North Carolina State University. She then attained her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at The Ohio State University, beginning a distinguished career in dentistry marked by skill, compassion, and service.
Just as she excelled professionally, she was most proud of her role as a devoted mother. She was ecstatic to have raised all of her children to follow in her footsteps of educational excellence when all four of her children attended a Historically Black College orUniversity, a legacy she regarded with the utmost respect and joy.
Dr. Leak was deeply committed to service and sisterhood. She was a proud third-generation and Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was also alumna and 30-year member of the Columbus (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, as well as a dedicated member of Girl Friends, Incorporated, the National Smart Set, the Women's Auxiliary of the National Medical Association, the North Easterners, and the Birthday Club. She also served with distinction as Past President of the Columbus Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and later an Associate Member. Through these organizations, she built lifelong friendships, championed education and service, and uplifted her community. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. W. David Leak; her beloved grandmother, Caroline Elizabeth O'Hara; her loving parents, H. Thomas C. and Ruby E. Boyd; her precious uncle and aunt, Gilbert and Jean Rivers, her loving uncle and aunt Walter C. and Ethel Boyd and her dear sweet cousins Janie Denise Boyd and Paul Jerome Rivers.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving children: W. Dawn Leak, Meghan Leak Benzegala, MBA (Mo), Mia Leak, and William Leak (Lisa) and her cherished granddaughter, Cambria. She is also survived by her devoted siblings: H. Thomas C. Boyd, Stellyne E. Curtis, Esq., Raphael O. Boyd, JD, MBA and Tyra M. Powell, MBA (Victor MS). She was the proud aunt of Staff (Tammy), Joshua (Detrice), Dr. Marcus Cowan, DDS (Donya PhD/MD), Lauren C. Lucas, Pharm. D (Rick), Brianna D. Powell, MBA, Brittany M. Powell, and Victoria O. Powell, MS (Roger); and an even prouder great-aunt of Donovan, Caden, Aubrey, Richie, and Reign. She was a loving cousin to the Hon. Acie Ward, Emily Carnegie (daughter Stephanie), Ranay Dudley (Gregory and Gregory Jr.), Walter Boyd (Laura, daughters Latoya and Ashley), Ethel Peed (Earle), Gilbert Rivers (Julia), James Rivers (Vicki), and Mitchell Rivers (Tonya). She also shared lifelong bonds with her chosen sister, Belle Hillman (Larry), chosen brother, Dr. Carl Jefferies, and chosen niece Raquel Davidson Brown, whose love, devotion, and friendship were constant sources of strength, pride and joy, and a host of sorors and friends that will hold her memory close.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2811 Poole Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27610. A memorial service will also be held in Columbus, Ohio, at a later date, allowing family and friends there to gather in love and remembrance.
Flowers, condolences, and donations can be mailed to StellyneCurtis at 3305 Barwell Road Raleigh, NC 27610.
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