Winona Pearl Leak, age 66, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Axiom Health Care in Flora.

      She was born October 9, 1958, at home in Clay City, the daughter of Virgil and Evelyn (Mitchell) Gray Young.  She married Tom Leak on October 15, 2005, at Bloom Baptist Church.

      Pearl graduated from Flora High School and later moved to Texas, working at various hospitals around Waco.  After returning to Flora, she was employed for more than twenty years as an X-ray Technician at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham. 

      She loved reading true crime novels and watching documentaries, especially about “deadly women.” Tom often teased her that he slept with one eye open, joking that one day something from those shows might “click.”

      After her cancer diagnosis, Pearl continued working while undergoing treatments.  Eventually, the long hours and commute became too much, and she retired in September 2023.  In retirement, she looked forward to dinner dates with former co-workers, family, and friends, and most of all, she cherished time with her beloved granddaughter, MaKenna, playing games and creating arts and crafts together.

      She is survived by her husband: Tom Leak of Flora; children: Brian Dulaney, Aaron Dulaney, Dustin Brown, Guy Brown, Jackie Richardson, and Virgil Brown; grandchildren: Matthew Dulaney and MaKenna Dulaney; siblings: Kathy Moton, Donna Young, Nova Lantis, Linda Pruitt, Charolette Young, and Everett Young; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

      During her final months, when she was bedfast, Pearl was deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from family and friends — especially from her sister Donna and her son Brian, who lovingly took turns caring for her each day.

      Private family services will be held.  Interment will take place in Kneff Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com