Leah Cheek

Leah Sue Kirby Cheek passed away of natural causes Wednesday evening May 26, 2021, in her sleep at the age of 90. Born July 12, 1930 in Chatham County, NC she was the daughter of the late Foy Parrish Kirby and Clara Roberta Cash Kirby, and wife of the late Dr. William Seton Cheek.

She is survived by her three children, Carol Fruit, Sandra Cash, and Bill Cheek; her grandchildren, James Fruit, Roy Fruit, William Cheek III, and Sydney Cheek, and her great-grandchildren, Kaydence Jones and Katana Fruit. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a brother, John Hebron Kirby; sister, Rachel Kirby Parrish, and son-in-law, Winfred Ashley Cash.

Leah attended Bynum Elementary School in Pittsboro, and graduated Pittsboro High School in 1948. She married the love of her life, Dr. William Seton Cheek on August 28, 1948 and they moved to Kentucky where they attended the University of Kentucky at Louisville. Leah worked as a clerk and then head bookkeeper for L. B. Buchanan Office Equipment to help her husband complete medical school.

They moved to Spartanburg in 1961 when her husband joined Spartanburg Pathology Associates. She served 32 years as Girl Scouts Troop Leader 145, Girl Scout Administration, Camp Chairwoman, and she was awarded the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Thank You Badge, three times. She was a member of Hillbrook Merry Tillers Garden Club since 1965. Leah started Keep Spartanburg Clean in 1989, and spoke to school children about  recycling and how they could participate. She was profiled as a “Local Hero” in the June 1991 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine’s Green Watch section, quoted “You may be just a little lady down in Spartanburg, but you can tell big companies what you think.” She was recognized with many awards, including the Elizabeth Patterson Community Service Award, and by official proclamation of the Mayor James Talley, June 11 is recognized as Honoring Leah Cheek Day in Spartanburg. Leah was a former member of Fernwood Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC and later a member of Lystra Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC.

Leah’s family wishes to extend their special thanks to her caregivers and friends, Pam, Barbara, and Leigh Ann for all their love and care.

Visitation will be held 4:00-6:00 PM Sunday, May 30, 2021 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

A small graveside service will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at the Cub Creek Family Cemetery, in Chapel Hill, NC.

In lieu of flowers, Leah requested donations be made in her name to the Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303. In memory of Leah Cheek please recycle and keep Spartanburg Clean.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel