Henry Leigh Adkins M.D.

Henry Leigh Adkins, M.D.

Memphis, TN

Henry Leigh Adkins, M.D. passed away March 25th peacefully, at home, being cared for by his loving wife and immediate family.

Leigh was born August 15, 1923, in Memphis, TN and grew up in Clarksdale, MS, graduating from Clarksdale High School in 1941. He would attend Ole Miss on a football scholarship, becoming a member of Phi Delta Theta.

With the advent of World War II, Leigh became an officer in the Alamo Scouts, the first of the Special Forces units assigned difficult reconnaissance and combat missions in the Pacific area. The Alamo Scouts were among the first troops of the U.S. Army to occupy Japan. Leigh's last mission was to be the reconnaissance of Japanese beaches designated for landing of troops; however, the atomic bomb ended the war, making this mission unnecessary. He would continue to serve near Hiroshima, returning to U.S. in 1946.

Leigh received his Bachelor's degree from University of North Carolina, Master's degree from Northwestern University, and M.D. from the University of Illinois. After an OBGYN residency with University of Tennessee, Leigh joined Dr. William Maury in private practice and, in 1986, established MOGA with Dr. John Gayden. Leigh delivered over 7,000 babies in his time and was in active practice until 2008; he cared deeply for all of his patients and reminisced fondly of his experiences.

Leigh was predeceased by his parents, Virgil S. Adkins and Nona Sharp Adkins of Memphis. He is survived by his wife, Judy Scott Adkins; siblings Virgil S. Adkins, Jr., Margaret Adkins Campbell, and James M. Adkins; and children Warren Leigh Adkins, Patricia Adkins Ball, Henry Leigh Adkins, Jr., Martha Adkins Blakeslee, Alice Adkins Merbeth, Jeffrey Todd Raley, and Brian Philip Raley.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 31st at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Josephine Circle or to a charity of your choice.