H. Jean McMurray Leake is a proud native of Greensboro, NC. She is the youngest daughter of three girls and one boy, born to the late Mr. Eugene and Mrs. Pearl McMurray. She is a lifelong Zionite who attended and grew up at Swift Street A.M.E. Zion Church in the “Terra Cotta” community of Greensboro, NC. She is married to Bishop Eric L. Leake and they have one daughter Jessica (son-in-love Catrell) and three sons, Joshua (daughter-in-love D’Nai), Caleb and Elijah. They have 4 grandchildren, Jeremiah, Cayden, Ava Lee and Noah, and one grand dog, Lola.

H. Jean attended Greensboro Public Schools and graduated from Ben L. Smith High School in Greensboro, NC. With a combined love for numbers, HBCU’s and her home state, after graduating from high school, she attended Winston Salem State University where she majored in Accounting. With her strong administrative skills, coupled with her accounting background H. Jean was afforded some great job opportunities. H. Jean worked as the Head Bank Teller at First Home Federal (Greensboro, NC) and a Credit Analyst for Levolor Blinds, Inc (Greensboro, NC) After relocating to Knoxville, TN, she took on positions as a Bookkeeper at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN), and the Business Manager at Vine Middle Magnet Performing Arts and Science School (Knoxville, TN) Prior to deciding to completely come out of the secular workforce to be a stay at home mom, she served as a Substitute Teacher for the Knox County School System (Knoxville, TN).

As a lifelong Zionite, H. Jean has held many positions in the church. She is most known for serving graciously as the First Lady of the Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church in Knoxville, TN and Martin Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Chicago, IL. In Knoxville, she served as the Mission Education Director for the Knoxville District, and the President of the Minister’s Spouses and Widow(ers) Fellowship. In Chicago, she served on the Greeter’s Ministry and as the Y.A.M.S. Coordinator. She was awarded the “Woman of the Year” Award from Martin Temple in 2013. H. Jean now serves as the proud Missionary Supervisor for the Southwestern Delta Episcopal District of The A.M.E. Zion Church.

H. Jean has the heart of a Servant Leader. She believes that true and effective leadership comes through “SERVING!” At any given time, she can be found cooking and meal prepping for senior citizens, and shut-ins in the church and community. She is also an entrepreneur, as the owner of Bo’s Sheet Cakes (affectionately named after her mother.) She is also a mentor to many single and married women, teaching them the lost art of submission and the gift of womanhood according to the Bible. She truly believes in “Liberation through Submission.” With her husband, she supports and encourages many Pastor/Ministers and their spouses through prayer and counseling. H. Jean is a published contributing author. She contributed an insert in the book “Praying on Purpose” focusing on actively praying for your husband and children. She was also a contributing writer in the 2015-2019 Study Guide for WH&OMS-Y.A.M.S. section. She was also a contributing writer for the 2019-2023 Buds of Promise Study Guide.

H. Jean is a Prophetic Intercessor, Encourager and Christian Servant, believing some things only come by prayer and fasting. Her greatest joy has been serving and loving her husband of 28 years, making the decision to become a “Work-at-Home Mom” – raising their children and grandchildren – to, most recently, caring for her older brother Kenny, after the passing of her parents.

Her favorite book of the Bible is Proverbs. Her two favorite Scriptures are Psalm 37 and 91.