Mr. Herbert Gene Cleaves

CLEAVES, Mr. Herbert G. - Age 72, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2015 at his residence in Laplace, LA. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2015 at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Kenneth Stewart officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Bedford Rd. Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. Cleaves will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday. Mr. Herbert Gene Cleaves was born March 18, 1943 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of the late Florence Messenger and John Cleaves. Herbert departed his life at home on Thursday April 2, 2015 in LaPlace, Louisiana. He was united in matrimony to Mrs. Juanita James-Cleaves on July 16, 2005 in Flint, Michigan. Herbert was baptized by the late Rev. Ira Watkins at Macedonia Baptist Church. Later in life he moved his membership to House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Kenneth L. Stewart. He was a former member of the Flint Board of Education, a Community Activist and a Vietnam Veteran. Growing up in Flint, cleaves played football and basketball at Northern High School and was a member of the schools 1960 State Championship into the Hall of Fame. “Uncle Herb” as the community knew him will be truly miss the greatest Community Coach in Michigan. Herb graduated from Mott Community College and loved supporting his community. He was also known as “a champion of the underdog” will always be remembered for fighting for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. Mr. Herbert Cleaves leaves to cherish in memory: loving and devoted wife, Juanita James-cleaves of Marrero, Louisiana; 5 daughters, Monique (Sean) Cleaves-Byrd, Shelby Pope, Christina Adams, all of Flint, MI, Shaccase Jackson of Baton Rouge and Shawnna (Wesley) Collins of Hawaii; 9 sons, Keith Parris of Grand Rapids, MI, Embery (Sandra) Pope, Ali (Nassera) Cleaves, Mateen (Chanda) Cleaves, all of Flint, MI, Donald Wilford, Jr., Michael (September) James of LaPlace, LA, Kenneth (Shardae) James of Italy and Leonard (TyQuincia) Coats of Garland, TX; sister, Claudette Pippins; brother George (Evelyn) Cleaves; 4 sisters-in-law, Alean (Bernard) Gibbs, all of Flint, MI, Monica (David) Harper of Wallace, LA, Belinda (Robert) Hawkins of Woodville, MS and Dorothy Barrett of Detroit, MI; aunt, Dorothy Ann Smith; 36 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including special friends, Gene Summers, Cloyce Dickerson, Frank Manley, Sr., Jimmy McFadden, Ed Johnson, Jim Mosley, LaVell Blanchard, Claire McClinton, Lilly Thomas and Tommy Gene just to mention a few. Mr. Cleaves was preceded in death by his son, Herbert “Sluggo” Cleaves, Jr.; parents, John Cleaves and Florence Messenger; niece and nephew, Jacqueline Pippins and Antony Pippins; best friend, Charles “Gus” Talbert and France Cleaves (mother of children). Mr. Herbert Cleaves prayed his way through many challenges and met other situations with bravery an abiding faith. We take comfort in knowing that Herbert Gene Cleaves experienced the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. Herbert Gene Cleaves

March 18, 1943 - April 2, 2015