Born February 20, 1935 in Mabscott, he was the son of the late Sam and Mamie Phipps Cheek. Sam was a retired heavy equipment and truck mechanic and a member of UMWA Local 1391. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved son Joseph Sam 'Joe' Cheek, Jr., brother, Robert F. 'Bob' Cheek, sisters; Mary Redden, Rose Reeves, Frances Burgess and Thelma J. Burgess.