100 services a year at both locations.
There are two other licensed directors
and part-time staff.
Leek’s daughter, Tamera, 25, is on
staff now. She studied mortuary science
at Southern Illinois University
and has her apprentice license.
Tamera said she didn’t know what
she wanted to do as a career. But, she
said, “I gave it a try (working at the
family business) and ended up liking
it.”
“I don’t keep
it on my mind.
I just do what
I need to do,”
he said. “I just
take it day by
day.”
At first, people were in shock, asking,
“Why can’t we have a service?”
Now, people are very cooperative,
Leek said, and are knowledgeable
about the coronavirus and its effects.
The funeral home had always
offered a live streaming service on
its Facebook page for services, but
demand has increased in recent
months.
Some people prefer to be safe and
to watch the service online.
At visitations, people may come
and go as they please, but there is a
50-person limit in the building.
Leek & Sons handles more than
Leek’s son, Kendrick, is also a student
working on building his mortuary
career,
Also, Leek’s wife, Valerie, and
another son, Timothy Jr., help out,
making sure the daily operations run
smoothly.
Leek has been licensed and has
been working at the funeral home
since 1984. He opened the Urbana
home in October 2017; Roy Cummings
II is director there, as well.
He’s a member of the New Union
Baptist Church.
Overall, relying on his faith while
assessing the pandemic, Leek said,
“This, too, will pass.”
OUR COMMUNITY 2020 13