Andrew “Andy” Stewart McLeod, 53, husband of Mary Julia Tisdale McLeod, died Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Born July 14, 1971, in Manning, he was the son of the late Pete Fleming McLeod and the late Carolyn “Susie” Stewart McLeod. He played college basketball for the Newberry Indians. He taught and coached at Newberry Academy, Laurence Manning Academy, Williamsburg Academy, Hudgens Academy, Orangeburg Prep and Holly Hill Academy. He was the current Athletic Director for the City of Laurens Parks and Recreation Department. He was a member and former Deacon of Manning First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of Laurens; stepchildren, Brooke Gales of Manning and Buddy Gales (fiancée, Melany ChaCha) of Summerville; a granddaughter, Mailee Kate Gales; a sister, Renee Boersema of Manning; mother-in-law, Helen Newman of Manning; sister-in-law, Kathleen Ott (Kyle Jernigan) of Manning; a niece, Ashley Barfield (Zachary Jones) of Olanta; and nephews, Joshua Touchberry, Cody Ussery, both of Manning, and McLeod Barfield (Trinidy) of Sumter.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Steve Boersema; and father-in-law, Walton Newman.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Manning First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Phillip Reynolds and Rev. Marshall Locke officiating. Burial will follow at Clarendon Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Will Epps, Ron Lee, Jason Pridgen, Jimmy Harris, Bob Gates and Ken Kellahan.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bland Cooper, Clay Coker, Joe Coffey, Bubba Flowers, Chris Harmon, Carter Faulkner and Collin Hill.
It was Andy’s request that everyone wear their favorite sports team attire to his funeral. Andy said if you don’t have a favorite sports team, Walmart sells Clemson attire.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at Manning First Baptist Church and other times at 111 Memorial Street, Manning.
The family would like to thank Prisma Cancer Center, Dr. Patrick Kuhlman, Dr. Chauncy Handron, Dr. Ryan Werntz, Dr. Catherine Rabon, McLeod Home Health, McLeod Hospice, Tracy Boykin, Teresa Dunlap, Kristen Feagin and Rock Ouzts.
Memorials may be made to The V Foundation, www.donate.v.org or to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
Editor’s Note: The following tribute was written by Brooke Gales, Andy’s stepdaughter, who entered his life at the age of 9. Her heartfelt words reflect the deep bond they shared and offer a personal glimpse into the man she knew and loved.
I know that death is inevitable and I knew this one was coming, but I’d be lying if I said I was ready for it.
Although I’m glad Andy is not suffering anymore, it sure does suck.
Andy came into my life when I was 9, that’s why his hair turned grey and he was partially balding. And let me tell you, going from no children to two stepchildren—and one of them being me—he had A LOT on his hands. Andy was the best in my eyes. If I wanted steaks for dinner, that’s what we were having. If I wanted to go somewhere or get something from Walmart, I never got a no. Even if we had to find a few dollars in quarters to get it. If I needed to talk about anything, he always would listen. Although I hardly ever took the advice given. Normally the short 5-minute ride to school included a song from his Eminem track, but he would always play #8, “Without Me,” because that was one of his favorites.
Going to the same school that he taught and coached at was my favorite. I got to witness, firsthand, what Andy loved the most: the game of basketball. I even got to watch him rip his pants during a game. But what I got to witness besides the love of the sport, was the love he had for his players and the coaches he worked with. If you asked Andy how many children he had, he would always say some crazy number, which was the amount of players plus Buddy and me. He cherished every season he got.
When Andy and Mom came back to Manning a few weeks ago, Andy’s goal was to make Mailee’s first birthday because “I just wanna see her smash a cake.”
And Andy is very determined—if he wants something, he’s gonna make it happen. He fought harder than I’ve ever seen to stay until Friday, and he did just that.
He got to watch his first grandbaby smash a cake, and I think he also enjoyed watching her get it all over me.
There are so many firsts for Mailee and myself that Andy won’t be earth-side for, but I know that he’ll have the best seat in the house.
Hug your people, go visit even when life is trying to throw every obstacle in the way, and tell people that you love them.
I hope Heaven is everything that we’ve talked about it being. I hope there’s endless episodes of WWE, a lot of perfectly painted football fields, and one heck of a gymnasium. I can’t wait to see you at the gates one day.
