James "Buck" Harvey

James “Buck” Harvey was born on March 7th , 1929 in Edwards, Mississippi, He grew up under the Loving care
of the late Ernest and Rosie Harvey. James was the oldest boy of 13 children from this union.
James left Edwards Mississippi in his late teens on his journey to the Midwest. He began to work on the
industrial railroads in the Chicagoland area. James eventually sent for most of his siblings where they would
come to settle in Urbana-Champaign, IL. While in Champaign, James married the late Dorothy Harvey, and to
this Union they adopted two of his grandchildren, Michael (Chintia) Harvey and Kashmere Harvey. He began
his personal lawncare service by landscaping family, friends, and neighbors’ yards one at a time. Later in his
life he Joined the church of Apostolic Authority where he received and was baptized in Jesus Christ as his lord
and savior. He loved to work with his hands, watch old westerns, and was a vivid story teller.
James was Preceded in death by his sisters: Estella Phillips, Vallena Worley, Minnie Lee Harvey-Morse, Linnie
Robinson; Children: James Jr. Harvey, Janet Smith.
James leaves loving memories to be cherished by his daughters: Jaqueline Smith, Angela Wilkinson, Crystal
Smith, Betty Simmons (Bart), Rose Woods, Diane Smith, Cynthia Smith, Sherron Stanonik; and sons: Roberts
Woods, Earnest Woods (Ernestine), Ronnie Lee Smith (Debbie), Clarence Smith (JoAnna); 30 Grandchildren; 42
Greatgrandchildren. In addition to his children he leaves three brothers: Roosevelt (Stella) Harvey, Percy
(Shirley) Harvey, and Jules (Earlene) Harvey; six sisters: Evangeline Hayes, Bertha Nelson, Ethel Haggard, Annie
Owens, Rosa (Chester) Guillory, and Vinnie Greene (of Chicago, IL).

A Homegoing Celebration will commence at 5:00 pm on Friday November 13, 2020 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home. 1215 W. Bradley Ave. Officiating Bishop McGee. Visitation will begin at 4:00pm until the time of the service. Internment will follow after at Lincoln Cemetery.  A Public Viewing will held from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Friday November 13, 2020. at Leek & Sons Funeral Home.

 Due to CDC regulations, restrictions will be enforced.

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