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Mr. Leon "Dr. Dirt" Goldsberry

4/17/2017

7 Comments

 
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Goldsberry, Leon "Dr. Dirt", age 70 of Edwards, Mississippi, died Sunday, April 9, 2017 at his residence. Funeral arrangements have been scheduled with a Memorial Service Monday, April 17, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at Willis & Son's
Funeral Home 5235 Robinson Road Ext., Jackson, Mississippi.
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Obituary 

As I look over the threshold of Heaven I see you.  As you celebrate my life and legacy, know that I am well.  It is beautiful beyond imagination here; I am at peace so very happy.  It is good to be back home.  My life was a blessed one, the best part of my life was when my son Lumumba Gary "MoJo" Goldsberry ( Jennifer) was born.  He is my treasure, my friend, and my very heart.  Although you cannot see me now, know that my arms are wrapped around you in loving comfort.  Jehovah has told me that all will be well, now I join my mother, Millie Bland White  and my father, James Goldsberry, Sr.  I now take my place among a Great Clod of Witnesses.

I had a love for nature, especially plants.  I was known as "Dr. Dirt" the plant doctor.  I had a gift for resuscitating plats of every kind.  I also loved collecting antiques of all types, which man considered to be junk but was my treasure.

I graduated in 1965 from Hinds County A.H.S. in Utica, MS and I also attended Rust College in Holly Spring, MS.  I was elected Alderman Ward 3 in 2009 and as Alderman at large in 2013.  I was a natural-gardener.  My green thumb transformed my home place into an Eden-like Garden known throughout the State and I made sure the Town of Edwards always looked good. 

When I look at Gary I see myself as if I am looking in the mirror.   My son has proven himself to me as a hard working businessman who, just like me, work hard to provide for the people that he love.  I know now that I can rest peacefully knowing that he will carry on my legacy.  

In this life I have had many successes as well as some failures.  In other words I've had some good days and some hills to climb.  I've had some weary days and some lonely nights, but when I look around and think things over, I'm so happy to say that my good days far outweigh my bad days.   So based on that very fact, I won't complain.

My survivors are my loving son Lumumba Gary "Mojo" Goldsberry of British Columbia; former wife and cherished friend Nancy (Sunshine) Goldsberry of British Columbia; sisters Willie Mae Brown and Christine Smith of California, Mildred Yarbrough and Patricia Hill of Jackson, MS; two brothers James Goldsberry Jr., of Louisiana and Tommie James Goldsberry of Jackson, MS  and a host o nephews, nieces, cousins and friends and a very loving caregiver John Carter of Edwards, MS.
7 Comments
Jean White
4/14/2017 11:32:59 am

Alderman Leon "Dr. Dirt" Goldsberry will truly be missed by the citizens of Edwards, Mississippi. Dr. Dirt had a love for nature, he was the Plant Doctor. If you ever visited Millie's Garden it was an experience you will never forget. Farewell my friend, really gonna miss you. Jean White

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Alderwoman Margaret Baker
4/14/2017 11:55:50 pm

Dear Family,
Sincere sympathy to you in the loss of our fellow Alderman. The City of Verona mourns with you during this time of bereavement. May the memories of Dr. Dirt sustain you in the coming months and years ahead.

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Mac
12/23/2017 10:39:00 am

I had the pleasure of listening to Felder and Dr. Dirt on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, 9.09 Radio. I really enjoyed Dr. Dirt and was always fascinated at his vast knowledge of flowers, the condition of soils and life in general. He is safe in the arms of Jesus. Peace, peace, peace.

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Mary Gaines
5/21/2018 10:30:36 am

My husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Millies Garden many years ago. Dr. Dirt gave me some cuttings and starts of plants which I still treasure. He will be greatly missed.

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Meredith Coleman McGee link
1/4/2019 07:03:14 pm

I have a rose bush in my front yard which I received from Dr. Dirt from his garden at his home in Edwards. He was also an interview participant on the biography I wrote on my uncle "James Meredith: Warrior and the America that created him." He was a special human being.

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felder rushing
3/20/2021 05:29:23 pm

Dr. Dirt has now been memorialized in a book he started with me many years ago: "Maverick Gardeners - Dr. Dirt and Other Independent Gardeners" (University Press of Mississippi, March 2021). It has an entire chapter on him, his garden, his accomplisments, his philosopky, and his influence on others, with lots of color photos of him and his garden. RIP Dirt. Miss you dearly.

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Dennis Weiler
4/23/2021 09:39:52 pm

After reading a story about "Dr. Dirt" I decided that if I was ever in the area I would look him up. That happened in 2014. Leon invited us into his home, told us stories, and gave us a tour of his latest gerdening project.

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