Jemaris Jarmel Leek, Jr. (Lansing)

Mr. Jemaris Jarmel Leek, Jr. passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Sparrow Healthcare System in Lansing, Michigan. Age 17 years. He was born September 10, 2003, the son of Ceiria McClain and Jemaris Leek, Sr. in Lansing, Michigan.

Jemaris, Jr., aka “Man” finished his junior year at Lansing Everett High School, he was excited about his senior year. On June 23, 2021, he was invited to join The National Society of High School Scholars in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement. Education was very important to Jemaris, Jr. He was very popular at school. Jemaris, Jr. played football as a wide receiver from the age of 5 years old. He started at kindergarten through 11th grade. He was a good athletic and had recruitment letters of many colleges. His top three college choices to attend were 1) Michigan, 2) Louisville and 3) Louisiana State University (LSU). Jemaris loved to football, basketball, and helping around the house. Man would be awakened in the middle of the night by his mom just to get a hug. He loved fixing stuff around the house. Jemaris was truly the man around the house. He loved doing yard work in his yard and others all year round. Man loved to pick with all of his siblings but mainly with his youngest sister, Jayonna. He loved dancing and music, loud music and singing loudly around the house with his earbuds in. His favorite artists were Young Boy and King Von. Jemaris loved to lift weights especially competing with his dad. He was very competitive, so if you came for him, you better come with your game face on. Man loved to travel, taking pictures, laughing, making others laugh, and walking up to people introducing himself by saying, “Hi, my name is Jermaris; what’s your name?” He was a huge Michigan fan, “Go Blue!”Jermaris loved to dress, enjoyed fashion, keeping his hair and shoes always at their best. He loved to eat! A lot! He would eat all of his food, then ask his Mom for hers while she would still be eating! His favorite food was tacos. Jermaris was a respectful young man who was very confident. He knew God and loved God. He would ask a lot of questions about God. Lastly, Jemaris, Jr. loved his family. He was working at age 16 at Burger King and at 17 was working at Champs. He would do everything he could to make life better for them.

He leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Ceiria McClain and Jemaris (Jemiah) Leek, Sr.; grandparents, Mary Sheppard, Henry Rogers, Tanya Leek, and Kenderick Lilly; 3 sisters, Preshous McClain, Qulasha Leek and Jayonna Leek; brother, Messiah Leek; stepsister, Azaniah King; stepbrother, Aveal Been Henson; niece, Alonnie Potter; 3 aunts, Heather (Rodney) Jones, Anilha Sheppard, and Lalheya Leek; 3 uncles, Larry McClain, Jr., Jackie Lewn, and LJ Lilly; 12 cousins, Earvean Smith, Octayveun Smith, Keyonna Smith, Joe Deleon, Jr., Xaveun Jones, Amiyah Halhim, Ariyah Hale-Sheppard, Tynissa Parker, Alejandro Sheppard, Jaylin Leek, London Leek, Toylin Leek-Dabi, Jaylin Leek-Davis and Taylin Leek-Davis; many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Genetter Woods, aunts, Emma Jean Mason, Carla Leek, and Vicky Leek-Kline; uncles, Roosvelt Woods, Jr. and Larry Woods, Sr.; and cousin, Archie Scates.