Gregory B. Levett, Sr. often tells people he meets that he’s just an ordinary “country undertaker.”

He came into the business under his father, who is now deceased, and eventually he opened Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, Inc., with his own children joining him in the business.

Levett recently received the Generational Torch Award presented by the Georgia African-American Chamber of Commerce.

“The award salutes African American families whose businesses started generations ago yet continue to thrive to this day,” said Anna Henderson, president of the GAACC. “We, as a people, have had to face so many adversities, but the fact that businesses like Mr. Levett’s have been able to rise above the odds is certainly commendable. The companies we recognize have set an awesome example that family business is, indeed, good business and good for Atlanta.”

Levett will also be honored this month by the DeKalb History Center as one of four community champions.

The Chamber held the awards at its 14th Annual Legislative Breakfast in downtown Atlanta in January.

Levett, who was born and raised in Conyers, has been serving families throughout the metro Atlanta area for more than 32 years.

“I can really appreciate an award like this one because my family and our business are one in the same. It’s not about us. It’s about serving the community and treating families who trust us with their loved ones with respect,” said Levett.

Levett and his wife, Betty, opened their first chapel in 1980 in Dekalb’s Scottdale community. They have since expanded their family business to include three additional chapels—Lawrenceville, Buford and Decatur. The Levetts have two sons and a daughter, Gregory, Jr., T. Lanier, and Deana, who are all active in the operations of the family business.