Benjamin Erskine Gandy

Benjamin Erskine Gandy of Madison, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, went to be with our Lord on October 23, 2016. He was born in Royce, MS on July 21, 1925 to Dr. Tilllis and Nora Davis Gandy at the Newman Lumber Company where his father was the company’s “horse and buggy” doctor. He grew up in Hattiesburg and immediately upon completing high school, Erskine joined the Navy and served as a Medical Corpsman on Guam during WWII. After the war, he graduated from USM where he met the love of his life, Mary Frances Carpenter. Upon receiving his master’s degree in biology from LSU, they moved to Jackson, MS in 1952. Erskine served as Director of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science from 1957 until his retirement in 1987. This position was his mission field and his life work. Through the museum he shared his love of God and nature by developing education and conservation programs, speaking to innumerable school groups, garden clubs and civic organizations over the years and enhancing the displays at the museum. He oversaw the building of a new facility on Jefferson Street and helped found the Museum of Natural Science Foundation which supports the museum’s programs. His belief in the “Web of Life” remains the guiding theme of the museum’s exhibitions. Erskine also served as a member of the National Audubon Society and a member of the Keep Jackson Beautiful Committee. He taught ornithology at Mississippi College. He was awarded both the National and Mississippi Conservation Educator of the Year Award which recognizes “outstanding contributions to the wise use and management of the nation’s natural resources”.

Erskine and Fran were long time members of Alta Woods Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and “teacher’s teacher”. After moving to Madison, he continued his service as a deacon and teacher at FBC Madison. He spent untold hours in his yard, relishing in his love of nature and developing gardens and natural attractions wherever he was. He was an avid gardener, reader, and bird watcher and taught his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren his love of nature. What a gift he was to us all!

Erskine was predeceased by his beloved Mary Frances, his parents, and his sister Marion Gandy Stewart. He is survived by his daughters Ruthie Courtney (Rick), Nora Michael (Chris) and Suzanne Gould (Tom); grandchildren Melanie Courtney, Melissa Courtney McCleese (Wes), Lee Michael, Britton Gould Rhoden (Jeffrey), Brett Michael (Amber and daughter Colbi), Marianne Michael Knapp (Taylor), and Madison Gould McCluer (Conner). His great-grandchildren are Will McCleese, Owen McCleese and Noah Rhoden.

Memorial service will be held at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS on Thursday, October 27, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:30-2:00.

Our family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Gwen Windham and her staff at UMMC’s MIND Center, and to the incredible Caring Companions who have cared for Daddy over the last five years: Johnnie Morris, Kellye Butler, and Salina Burnside. You allowed us to make this journey through Alzheimer’s a time of love and growth for our family. We love you.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask that contributions go to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation, 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS 39202.