Dr. Edwin McLeod Meek, Jr.

Dr. Edwin McLeod (Dick) Meek Jr., a true Southern character, died at 81 surrounded by loved ones in his home in Greenwood, Mississippi. Dick will be remembered for his curiosity, generosity, humor and intelligence. One of his many life accomplishments included delivering more than 20,000 babies in the Mississippi Delta. A native of Greenwood, Dr. Meek graduated from Greenwood High School before receiving a Bachelors of Art in English from the University of the South, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Following in his father’s footsteps to study medicine, he attended Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans. He finished his training in Obstetrics and Gynecology as a resident at Charity Hospital.

In New Orleans he met and married his wife, Betty Van Whittington, from Tunica. They started a family before moving to Virginia Beach, where he joined the Navy as a doctor. His family moved back to Greenwood in 1973 where he continued his father’s legacy serving as a doctor in the Mississippi Delta.

Dr. Meek, blessed with a brilliant mind, pursued hobbies which all had the common thread of complex engineering, music and art. He loved figuring out how machines worked and taking them apart to admire their inner workings. He avidly collected records, stereo equipment, model airplanes, old cars, Electrolux vacuum cleaners, watches, old metal fans, bicycles, camera equipment, art and antiques. You could often spot him riding his bicycle around town in search of estate sales, wearing his green scrubs, khaki shorts, white tube socks and Birkenstock sandals. 

Dick delighted in dining with his wife and close friends, Allen and Charlene Wood, at local hotspots. He was known to return home with whole chocolate sheet cakes and sourdough loaves by the dozen. With his refurbished standing mixers, he crafted a perfectly tangy mayonnaise that he gifted during the Christmas season.   

An active community member, he served local organizations and clubs, including The American Legion and The Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed leading his children in Scouting and led a group of Scouts to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He received the esteemed Silver Beaver Award which recognized distinguished service in Scouting. An active member of The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, he served on the Vestry and was a dedicated choir member for over 50 years. 

Dr Edwin Meek, Jr. was born to Dr. Edwin McLeod Meek and Frances Johnson Meek on February 8, 1943 in Greenwood, MS. He is survived by his wife Betty Van of Greenwood and their three sons: Edwin McLeod Meek lll and his wife Allison Wilkey Meek of Greenwood, Kenneth Whittington (Whit) Meek and his wife Marie Tyler Meek of Sedona Arizona, Matthew McWillie Meek and his wife Allison Wonnacott Meek of Elizaville, New York; Five grandchildren, Ann Deren Meek and Wilkes McLeod Meek of Greenwood, MS, and Stella Grey Meek, James Whittington Meek, and Cordelia Lorinne Meek of Elizaville, New York.

Visitation will be on Monday the 23rd of December from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM followed by the funeral at 2:00 PM at The Episcopal Church of the Nativity. Burial will follow at Oddfellows Cemetery. 

PallBearers will be Don Brock Jr., Chris Cascio, Dr. Henry Flautt Jr., James Whittington Meek, Wilkes Meek, Allen Wood III, Jim Zook, Harris Powers, III.. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Mike Carter, Dr. S.R. Evans, Brian Lott, Floyd Melton Jr., Guy Ray, Tommy Thompson, Allen Wood Jr. and Ronnie Goss.

Memorials may be made to the Greenwood Humane Society or the charity of donor’s choice

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