Oliver “Bo” Leslie’s mother passed away this weekend six months after the centenarian celebrated her 101st birthday. Mary Crutcher Leslie died on Saturday, September 26, 2020. She was born on March 25, 1919.

Bo Leslie, a BEYA-winning supplier diversity executive and current national chairman for the BEYA HBCU Alumni group, said his mother was ‘a woman of faith and a dedicated wife to her husband of 60 years’ who preceded her in death.

“She was a cherished mother of 10, grandmother of 17, great grandmother of 26, and great-great-grandmother of 2,” wrote Bo in a statement. “She was a pillar in her community and will be greatly missed,” he added. “Rest in peace.”

To honor the departed, and in lieu of flowers, join Bo in making the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation your charity of choice.

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, Bo’s mentee, founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to change the way cancer is treated and reduce human suffering.  She has been nationally recognized for developing a cancer treatment that eliminates tumors in mice in just 15 days after one treatment, without any observed side effects. Dr. Green received the Professional Achievement in Industry Award at the 2018 Women of Color STEM Conference.

For further details about how to help move laser-activated technology into human trials and keep the new treatment affordable for all, please visit the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation at Oralee.org