Mrs. Mayme Lee Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Mrs. Mayme Lee - Age 93, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023, at her residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 424 Kennelworth Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Jevon Catlett, Host Pastor. Interment Gracelawn Cemetery, 5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Viewing will be during the family hour only. Mayme Lee (Pool) Cleveland of Flint, Michigan was born July 23, 1929 in Bryan, Texas. As a young woman, she was joined in holy matrimony to James Werson ‘Jake’ Cleveland. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Michigan. To their union 4 children were born: Janet, James, Elizabeth, and Sandra. Mrs. Cleveland took on domestic work until she hired into AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors Corporation where she remained employed until retirement. She also sold Avon for many years. Mayme accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age. She loved the Lord and upon moving to Flint became a dedicated member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church where she worshipped for more than 65 years. For a time, she led the Sunshine Band, served on the Usher Board and taught Sunday School. Eventually, she joined the Chancel Choir where she sang for over 40 years and spent time as the group’s treasurer. A spiritual woman of strong faith, she could often be heard quoting one of her favorite verses, ‘…With God all things are possible’ Matthew 19:26. Mrs. Cleveland was widely admired for her beauty and strength. She loved to help others and could often be found serving the sick and shut in. Mayme especially enjoyed seniors and faithfully volunteered at Willowbrook Manor every week while she was able. She was a virtuous woman, loyal friend, and well-respected by those who knew her. Mayme was never short on advice and was known to speak her mind. ‘Big Mama’ was extremely proud of her family and didn’t care who knew it. When her children were young, she was an active and vocal member of the school PTO. Mrs. Cleveland enjoyed square dancing, playing bridge, and traveling. She was a health enthusiast, avid gardener, awesome cook, and had an herbal remedy for every ailment. Mrs. Cleveland had a generous spirit and often gave away loaves of zucchini bread and fresh or canned produce from her garden. She was a stylish woman known for her love of jewelry and ‘church’ hats. Mrs. Cleveland would often encourage others by saying, ‘You can do anything you set your mind to.’ Mother Cleveland was preceded in death by her husband, James Werson Cleveland; her two oldest children, Janet Louise McMullan and James Cleveland; grandson, Derek Cleveland; and brother, Clarence ‘Bo’ Stepney. Mother Mayme Cleveland leaves to cherish sweet memories: 2 daughters, Elizabeth Bingham and Sandra (Jeffrey) Nelson; daughter-in-law, Martha Hammond; 2 sisters, Ruby Williams and Joann (John) Jordan; 3 brothers, Perry Stepney, Edward ‘Bud’ (Lavell) Stepney, and Johnnie (Ida Nell) Stepney; 10 grandchildren including special grandson, Rhaman Cleveland; 29 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; godchildren Joni Wynn and Johnathan Foxworth; and special sister-friend, Madeline Mills. The family wishes to express gratitude to Mother Cleveland’s daughter Elizabeth for faithfully serving as her caregiver. They would also like to acknowledge the Valley Area Agency on Aging and Harmony Cares Hospice for their support.

Mrs. Mayme Lee Cleveland

July 23, 1929 - February 11, 2023