UNION: Funeral services are scheduled at Milling Funeral Home with visitation at 10:00 AM and
services to begin at 11:00 AM on October 25 with burial in the Union Cemetery. Dr. Marcus Finch & Dr. Corey Fontan officiating.

Willie Maude Gardner Cleveland passed on to her eternal home on October 22, 2023
at the age of 97. She was born on January 10, 1926 to Basil and Lelia Gardner.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 76 years, Joe Cleveland
and her siblings Connie Cleveland, Bobbie Jean Cleveland, Leon and Ralph Gardner.

She is survived by her children Donny Cleveland, Gloria Payne (Steve), and Shannon McKay
(Jimmy) as well as three grandchildren Molly McKay Beckner (Jim), Shelby Jo McKay Martin
(Bradley) and Jamie McKay. Her five great grandchildren, James, Willa Rose, Peter Martin and
James and Hayden Beckner loved their MeeMaw dearly and will miss her smiles and hugs.

She spent her years in serving others through First Baptist Church where she was a member
of the choir, a Sunday School teacher, cooked meals in the kitchen and served on several
mission trips. Her role as chief cook for VBS treats lasted into her late 80's with her lemonade
recipe lasting into future years. Her ministry did not stop within the walls of the church as she
helped others in the community with acts of kindness. She enjoyed cooking and blessed many
people with her delicious sour dough bread, homemade pies and cakes and her chicken and
dumplings. Some of her recipients testified her homemade caramel pie cured their ailments.
Although her most important job was loving and caring for her children, she enjoyed working
for Dr. Rex Warnick as a receptionist and in billing. She spent time in the vegetable garden and
canned countless jars of vegetables and fruit. She sewed clothing for her family including
several years of Easter outfits and cheerleader uniforms. She read her Bible faithfully and
spent time in prayer.

She spent years loving her husband, her children and their husbands, grandchildren and
great grandchildren and creating a wonderful life of joy, fun and happiness.

Pallbearers: Ricky Cleveland, Bobby Cleveland, Tim Cleveland, Dustin Lowery, Paul Cleveland and Britt Cleveland

Honorary Pallbearer: Harold Cleveland

The family requests that any donations be made to Samaritan's Purse PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607 or the Mississippi Baptist Children's Home 118 Lowe Road
Laurel, MS 39443.