Rebecca "Becca" Ann McLeod

Rebecca “Becca” Ann (Strong) McLeod passed away peacefully at home on 22 July 2024 at the age of 75 after a greater than two-year, determined battle with renal cell cancer. Through her final days she maintained her compassion, her grace, her sense of humor and of course, a stubborn streak, that if you knew her would come as no surprise. Connected to the church throughout her lifetime, Becca was a woman of faith, a believer in God and Heaven; her soul is free and her body at rest. 

Becca was born in Chardon, Ohio on 4 September 1948 to Madge Margaret (Sparks) and Charles Walter Strong, both deceased. Growing up mainly between Michigan and North Carolina, she was a 1966 graduate of Greensboro Grimsley High and subsequently the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1971 with a degree in Psychology and sub-specialties in Education, History, and Spanish. Becca’s degree in Psychology would serve her well for over a decade as a Personnel Placement Specialist with Graham & Associates in Greensboro. She parlayed that experience into the creation of her own company, Omni Search of North Carolina, with a diverse client base. She was extremely proud of that and of her accomplishments as a member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association of Personnel Services. 

Becca was innately talented with her hands and worked in mediums of clay, paper, other natural materials, once having crafted a blue-ribbon winner quarter-scale log cabin from branches of a shrub in the yard. She handmade the furnishings and interior décor for all her scaled creations – often modeling after real historic homes down to the art on the wall and the rugs on the floor. Birthdays and holidays were certain to come with an expression of her creativity, whether in the gift itself or its deliberate, intricate wrapping with lots of tape. Love of the arts came naturally to Becca; she played the piano beautifully and had an ear for music. When she could no longer play, Becca graciously donated her piano to Trees of Valor, a veteran’s organization, and her music to the Gant School of Music & Jazz in Greensboro. She loved anything from jazz to country; among her favorites were Earth Wind and Fire, Cold Play, and Blake Shelton. Nature’s music was also among Becca’s favorites as by sight and song, she could identify most birds in the Greensboro area as well as those in southwest Florida, Maryland, and Delaware when visiting family. 

Becca’s love for family was paramount. She is survived by her husband, Roy Wesley (Wes) McLeod Jr. and the family she gained through that union, step-daughter Devan McBee (Richard) of Greensboro and later two grandchildren, Ian and Richard McBee, both of whom she loved beyond words; her daughter Angela Kontoulas (Denise Miles), her older brother Chuck Strong (Carol) of Greensboro, her younger brother Dan (Deidra Downs) of Punta Gorda, Florida, and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Beyond her love for her human family, Becca wanted nothing more than to love her pups, she was predeceased by her favorites, Olivia, Snickerdoodle, and Izzy. She also held a special space for several feline babies over the years, most recently Callie Rose. 

Family would like to express their profound gratitude to AuthoraCare Hospice of Greensboro for their excellent care and compassion. Becca formed a wonderful bond with Kristi Moore, RN who would round multiple times weekly and was a bright light in Becca’s day. Kristi’s presence put her at ease and their rapport was based on trust, hard truths, and humor not simply the medical necessities that were part of Becca’s journey. Thank you also to Jodie Roberts, LCSW for your emotional support; Sasha Woods, Hospice Aide, who Becca said gave the best baths and made her feel anew; Bryan Siefert, Chaplain; and Donald Hertweck, MD and to the many other staff members, whether weekends or off hours, who took part in Becca’s care. 

A memorial service will be held at Hickory Ridge United Methodist Church, 6012 Germanton Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 on 29 July 2024 at 11 o’clock with visitation beginning at 10 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to AuthoraCare Hospice of Greensboro, to Hickory Ridge United Methodist Church- Church Fund or its supported charities, or a charity supporting the care and adoption animals