Edward Keith Leak Sr. grew up as a child of the Great Depression.

Edward left his job at the post office and joined his father, A.R. Leak, Sr., and brothers to work at the family funeral business, A.R. Leak Funeral Home.

In 1983, the Rev. Christine B. Leak succumbed to cancer, and in 1984, Edward married his third wife, Alberta Hedgley, who had two adult children, Craig and Sheryl Hedgley.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents Andrew Robert Leak and Lula Mae Stokes; stepfather Isaac Stokes, Sr.; stepmother Dotty Leak; brother Isaac Jr. and daughter Lynne Waters.

He leaves to mourn his death seven children, Elizabeth (Tyrone), Laverne (David), Carol (Frederick), Linda, Edwina (Curtis, deceased), Edward, Jr., Craig (Cindy) and Sheryl; five siblings, Andrew Robert Leak Jr., (Marquita, deceased), Spencer Leak Sr. (Henrietta), Leon Leak, Patricia Stokes and Isaac Stokes Jr. (deceased); 45 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, 6 great- great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.