Leigh Hilliard Barrett

Leigh Hilliard Barrett, age 56, of Milledgeville died surrounded by family Friday, December 20, 2024 following a courageous battle with cancer.   A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, December 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Sandersville Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Stan Littleton officiating.  Leigh's family will great friends in Heritage Hall of the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

Leigh was born in Sandersville and reared in the South Georgia the towns of Arlington and Albany where she graduated from Riverview Academy.  She attended Mercer University and Georgia State University and obtained a degree in Journalism.  Leigh began her working career with IBM in Atlanta where she obtained many lasting friendships.  She lived in both East Point and Acworth where she was an active member of the Acworth United Methodist Church.  In 2012 Leigh returned to Washington County with her family to be near extended family.  She was a script writer for E Films, and she also was a substitute teacher for the Washington County School System.  Leigh returned to college at Central Georgia Technical College where was trained in Physical Therapy.  She later worked for Enhabit Home Health Services.  While living in Tennille, Leigh was a member of the Sandersville Methodist Church and sang in the Adult Choir.  She has been accurately characterized as being funny, irreverent, witty and compassionate.  Leigh loved knitting, reading and the theater.   She possessed a love of trivia and was once a contestant on Alec Trebek's show, “Jeopardy.”  Following that Leigh became a member of a nationwide group known as Women of Jeopardy.  Her father, Jess W. Hilliard Jr. predeceases her.

Survivors are her children, Sydney Barrett of Atlanta and David Whitling of Milledgeville; her mother, Gail W. Anderson and her husband Bobby of Tennille; siblings, Jess Hilliard and Jack Hilliard and his wife Jennifer; her uncle Mark Willis and his wife Julie and aunts, Chris Griffith and her husband David and Paulette Cobb. Leigh is also survived by her life companion, Kraig Kristich of Milledgeville.

Donations may be made to Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon, GA. 31210.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.