The Man, The Myth, The Legend
D eMario Sandriekus Leakes was born August 22, 1983, in Memphis, TN. He was the beloved son of Reginald Leakes and Donna Herron. Mario was a proud big brother to Demarco and Deandre,’ and
to the family, he was known as the “Jack of ALL Trades.” Mario could brighten up anyone’s day with a smile that could light up a room. Mario had a heart of gold and loved to be able to step in and help anyone. He may not have been a man of many words, but he was definitely one of action and a man of his word. He loved being around family and friends. Chess and Spades were two things he loved and was good at. DeMario first gave his life to Christ at the church he grew up in, Praise of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Brooks. As his knowledge and faith grew in his journey, Mario and his loving wife Jerrika re-dedicated themselves to Christ together and began serving at the House of God Church of Believers under the leadership of Pastors Ronnie & Jacquetta Cole. He served as the minister of music and media. His servantship and work of God continued as God moved him to True Revival and Praise Ministries, where he served alongside his wife, Pastor Jerrika Leakes. He remained devoted to God. DeMario graduated from Central High School, and from there, he was accepted into the Memphis Electrical Joint Apprenticeship. Mario successfully completed the program and was hired at MidSouth Electric, where he faithfully contributed 17 years of service in the field and the office. Mid-South Electric was not just a place of work for Mario; it was like a second home filled with many he loved and cherished. DeMario’s proudest accomplishment was marrying the love of his life, Jerrika Leakes. If you knew him, then you know how he felt about his wife. Their love story holds 25 years of love, laughter, many trips, and, best of all, two outstanding sons, Darion and Makell. He was indeed a family man, always one call away, ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. DeMario memories will always be cherished by his devoted wife, Jerrika Leakes; Sons Darion and Makell Leakes; Mother, Donna Herron; Father, Reginald Leakes; Grandmother Christine Leakes; Brothers Demarco and Deandre; Aunts; Brenda, Claudia(Ray), Vicki, Jernetha, Sherry, and Marilyn; Uncles; Paul, Michael (Felicia), Keith, Tyrone (Angela), Kenny, Jeffrey, Daryl (Connie), and Terrance; Mother In-Love, Arlene (Dwight); Father In-Love, Jerry (Sherrye’); Brothers In-Love, Jerry, Dwaun, Jon, and Centrell; Sisters In-Love, Jemia, Tanya, Ebony, and Johnice; and nieces and nephews Joshua, Jaylen, Lil Jerry, Nori, Tayla, Kayden, Draya, Journee, Jon Jr., Marley, and Ta’Liyah; and a host cousins. DeMario was preceded in death by Grandfather, Nollon “Shorty” Herron Jr., Grandmother Odean Herron, Uncle Ricky Mack Herron, Rodney Leakes, and cousin Cornelius Wilson. Cornelius and Mario were cousins but grew up together as brothers. They were close here on earth and now beyond here, close in heaven. “For all of us you gave your best. Now the time has come for you to rest. So, go in peace, You’ve earned your sleep.”
Order of Celebration Friday, November 17, 2023 1:30 P.M.
The Healing Cathedral Christian Church 4523 Elvis Presley Blvd. • Memphis, Tennessee 38116 Pastor Tyrone Hunt, Senior Pastor
Processional.................................................................................................The Family 0f Demario Leakes Old Testament & Words of Comfort......................................................................................Bishop Woodson New Testament & Prayer............................................................................................Pastor Jacquetta Cole Musical Selection..................................................................................Pastor Christopher Williams
Reflections of Love “Open The Flood Gates”
(Respectfully, Three Minutes Please)
Uncle Michael Herron - Uncle Aaron Pement - Co-Worker Rashard Leakes - Cousin Shelia Gray - One Body Family
Tribute Through Dance........................................................JaSharra Cole Acknowlegements/Resolution......................................LaQuita Smith Musical Selection................................Deborah Manning Thomas “Oh How Precious”
Eulogy.......................................................Pastor Everett McBee Recessional.............................The Family of Demario Leakes Remains will not be viewed after Eulogy
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalms 23
Dear Son, I wish I could see you one more time walking through the door, but I know that I will hear your voice no more. I know you can feel my tears, and you don’t want me to cry, yet my heart is broken because I can’t understand why someone so precious had to die. I know that God will give me strength and somehow get me through as I struggle with this heartache that came when I lost you. I will physically miss hearing you say “Mo-ther” as only you could say, yet when I feel it in my heart, I will smile anyway. My mind will be at ease and my soul at rest, remembering that when I birthed you, I was truly blessed. I brought forth an angel, and for this, I am truly grateful. I am a proud mom of all your accomplishments and the man you became. You brought me absolutely no shame or pain. I will stand tall and walk with my heart and head lifted up. Down through the years, everyone you came in contact with loved and respected you. You were not tolerated. You were celebrated. I will be strong and not lose hope, and I will not be sad but thankful for the time we had. When I would not listen to anyone, I would listen to you. You were always there whether I was in the hospital or to make sure I took my meds. You believed in God, and you believed in your mother. Thank you for being an “Amazing” husband to Jerrika, the Queen of your life, and for being a “Great” Big brother to your two younger brothers, DeMarco and DeAndre, and for being a “Great” little brother to your cousin/bonus brother Cornelius, as well as an Awesome father to your two children, Darion and Makell, a Commendable son to your father, and an Exceptional loving son to your mother. This one thing I know for sure: whatever someone trusted you with, you are taking it to the grave, a man of your word with true integrity. You choose to be an organ donor, allowing 150 people the opportunity to have a life after you are gone. Not only were you a blessing in life, but you are one in death. As you transition back to the Father, I bid you farewell till we meet again. As I walk through this shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for I know that you and God are with me. Love Always, “Mo-ther”
My Son,
I closed my eyes for but a moment and suddenly you were gone. I may not be able to hug you in my arms, but I will always carry you in my heart. You have given me so many reasons to be proud of who you have become, but the proudest moment for me is telling others that you are MY SON. Love, Dad
Bae,
My Husband
I want you to know that you have been nothing short of amazing. You are the perfect man, and you always will be. Though it’s difficult for me to accept, I must come to terms with the fact that God needed his angel back. I cannot complain, as I know how many people yearn to experience true love, a best friend, a superhero, or to be touched by an angel. I have been blessed to experience all of these things through you. You spoiled me and the boys, and we never wanted for anything. You taught us so much and made us all better. You built my confidence and made me feel like the prettiest girl in the world. I never had to beg for your attention and always had your time. Your words and smile gave me courage whenever I felt scared or unsure. I will continue to speak of you in the present tense, as I know you are always with me. Whenever I listen to our favorite song, “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, as I think of you, I’ll say aloud, “Baby, I love you.” I will continue to tell you how handsome you are, how great of a man you are, and above all, I will always say, “Thank you.” From the moment we met, to now, and forever, I will always love you. I give GOD all the GLORY!!! Thank you, GOD, for blessing me with this outstanding man. Long Live, Mr. Demario Leakes. You know my favorite saying, “Forever That’s it!!!!” Love, J
LTributes oving
Demario Leakes! Is the name of my loving father who taught me so much and showed me and many others what it meant to be a man. For those who don’t know my dad had a huge sweet tooth and one of the many things he showed me before he had to leave was cheesy bread with a little cinnamon, it was amazing just like everything else my dad did. He also showed me how to setup cameras and even stream for trap ministries my family’s church home. No matter what he did or where he went, he was always smiling and making people laugh. For that I can’t thank you enough dad, for all the memories and laughter that no demon nor devil can take away. We all gone miss you dad long live Kell
Keep watching me Pops, it’s a lot of work to be done and I’m not rolling over. I love you, forever and always I can’t fill your shoes but I’m still learning how to walk. One day at a time! Darion
As we bid farewell, we hold onto the cherished memories and indelible mark you’ve left on our lives. The warmth of your presence, the laughter we shared, and the love you bestowed upon us will forever be etched in our hearts. Your departure leaves a void that cannot be filled, but we find solace in knowing you are at peace. Rest in peace our dear Demario Leakes, and may you find eternal serenity. With Love and fond remembrance,
-The Leakes Family
Yo, No words can express how fragile my heart feels broken in this moment. Mario, your legacy will remain true today, tomorrow, and always. When you asked to marry my daughter, I said yes before you finished asking. There was no doubt in my mind, that you were the perfect one for her. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I thanked GOD every moment for allowing you to become my son. You made sure you took Great care of Jerrika and all of us from DAY 1. I wasn’t prepared for your sudden passing, nor have I been able to process this, however I do understand that this is one of the things I can’t control. So I pray for strength to accept God’s Plan. I Love you forever my son and I will truly miss your Smile and Warm Heart. Mom-In-Love aka (OLLIE)
Big Bro Yo You gave no one a last farewell, nor ever said good-bye. You were gone before I knew it, and only God knows why. A million times I will miss you, A million times I will cry. If love could have saved you, you never would’ve died. In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place No one can ever fill. It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. Because a part of me left with you, the day God took you home! If tears could be a stairway and memories were a lane, I would go right up to Heaven and bring you back again. Distance may separate us, but my heart yearns for you, Mario. In your absence, I realize the true value of your presence. Memories of our laughter and adventures together fill my heart as I miss you. Time may pass, but my longing for you only grows stronger. I would trade anything to bring you back again, but some things in life are one- way. You can never rewind them. I miss you more than words can express and even though we are apart, the bond of brotherhood remains unbreakable. The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you shall NEVER pass away! Until we see each other again, have fun up there! Rest well Big Brother
Dre
Even though you’re gone you will always be my brother. Though you made it home I’m still missing you, my brother I’m feeling like the timing was wrong, my brother I know you’re smiling down saying carry on, my brother sometimes my nights can get long, my brother sometime I feel like God did me wrong, my brother So I had to write this to ya my brother, Just to let ya know that you, Still My Brother!
Marco
DeMario, Anybody that knows us knew how much we love one another. From the day you entered into this crazy world from my sister’s womb I loved me some you. You brought me so much joy, happiness, and laughter in my life. Remember the time when your mom would ask me to take you to daycare and you were 4 yrs old? I didn’t know my way around so I would get lost and this particular morning you was fed up with me getting lost so you said to me, “Brenda where are you going? This is not the way to my school.” We went back and forth and then I realized you was correct & turned to go the other direction. As I was turning you said, “I’m going to tell my moma don’t let you take me to school because you don’t know where you be going.” I laughed so hard at you but you didn’t crack a smile. Remember I first brought my then fiance Paul home to meet everybody and you were 6 yrs old and not having it. Everytime you thought Paul was trying to get next to me you would rush over to sit or stand by me and when you see Paul looking in our direction you would hug me and kiss my face to make him jealous and Paul would just smile and laugh. I remember when you were in your early twenties I had just bought my Yukon XL and you asked can you borrow it to go out? I didn’t want to give it to you but I have never said no to you and I was not about to start so you left with my truck came back the next morning and of course something was wrong but not major and I asked you about it and you said you didn’t do that and I left it alone. Now had that been anybody else I would have cut a rug. I have recalled many times I have needed you and you would always come through. You never asked what for, how long, or nothing you just gave it to me. We have been one another rock for many years and to say I’m going to miss you is an understatement. I never thought you would leave me but I know you couldn’t let one of your favorite cousins/brother (Cornelius) go alone. I will forever love you as my nephew/my bonus son because you have always meant the world to me.
Love your Favorite Aunt/Bonus Mom, Brenda Where do I begin? Mario, when I first met you, you were only 6 years old. I was on vacation in Memphis to meet your family for the first time. From the very beginning, Mario, we hit it off! You used to try and make me jealous by jumping on the sofa next to your auntie, Brenda, before I could sit down, and you would start kissing on her and smiling in my direction. All I could do was laugh! Mario, I loved you from the beginning and expressed that love by telling you every time I spoke to you. You were such a great kid and an even better man. I was so proud of the man, husband, and father that you became. You were and will always be the son I never had. Love Unc!
~ Acknowledgements ~
The family of Demario Leakes would like to express our love and appreciation for all your thoughts, prayers flowers, and acts of kindness during this time of sorrow. The many visits, phone calls, messages, and your presence on today has truly made the grief easier to bear, and it is received. We are truly grateful for everything you have done!
~ Honorary Pallbearers ~
Darion Leakes Michael Herron Jerry H. Smith
Centrell Hicks
~ Active Pallbearers ~
Rashard Leakes Jerry Smith Brandon Banks Sheamus Cox
Makell Leakes Paul Floyd Dwight Hicks Damien Leakes Jon Williford Dwaun Hicks Dorian Robinson
~ Interment & Committal Rites ~ Friday, November 17, 2023 • 3:30 P.M. Memphis Memory Gardens 6444 Raleigh LaGrange Road Memphis, Tennessee 38134
~ Repast ~
N’Joy Event Center 3035 Directors Row Memphis, Tennessee 38131
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