Rachel Helen Stinnett Cleveland June 19, 1922 – December 30, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Rachel Helen Stinnett Cleveland, fondly called “Gar-Gar,” was born June 19, 1922 in Fayetteville, Tennessee, the only child of Offie and Bessie Stinnett. Rachel was tenderly loved by cousins, who cared for her in her early years allowing her parents to work. They taught her to read bible verses and to quote them at each meal. Rachel finished Pearl High School in 1939, attended and finished the School of Beauty Culture in 1942. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State University in 1955 and taught thirteen years at Carter Lawrence and fourteen years at Norman Binkley Elementary Schools. In October 1942, she was united in holy matrimony to James H. Cleveland – they were married for sixty-four years. To this union were born three sons, James, Jr., Otis L. and Ronald E. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son, James, Jr. From the age of three to the age of ten, Rachel attended Bethel AME Church. In 1934, she accepted Christ and was baptized at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the late Reverend T. H. Easley. As a youth, she attended Sunday School, B.Y.P.U., evening Sunday services and first Sunday night communion. She was a member of the youth usher board. As an adult, she was a member of Missionary Circle #2 and the Senior Choir. As a missionary, she participated in newspaper drives and started the annual church bazaar. Rachel was a very generous person, who gave to many charities, families and individuals in need. Her hobbies included reading, cooking and working crossword and jigsaw puzzles. “I love New Hope. Most important to me, I love God. I have tried to live a Christian life-not perfect, but I serve a perfect Savior, who loves [me] and gave me three beautiful sons and their families, who love me as I love them. I have had a beautiful life.” (Quoted by Rachel Cleveland, 2014) Cherishing her memory, Rachel leaves her devoted sons Otis L. (Estella) Cleveland, Sr., Ronald E. (LauCarol) Cleveland; daughter-in-law, Lerlie M. Cleveland; her grandchildren, Tewanna Cleveland, Tamara Cleveland, Carla (Matthew) Burgess, Rholanda (Tyrus) Smartt, Maria (Alexander) Jones, Otis (Crystal) Cleveland, Jr., Amber Cleveland; great-grandchildren, Matthew, II, McKenzie, Carlile, Micah, Otis, Graham, Alyssa, Keegan, Daniella, Cholin, and Elliot. Devoted nephew, Willard (Joyce) Williamson; cousins, Blanche (William) Watson, Maple Parham, Charmayne Bell, Wyvonia Ray, Cassandra Bowman and other relatives. Special friends, Fannie Starks, Elizabeth Norris, Delores Wilkes, Beatrice Pierce, Brenda Gill, Jimmy Venson and many others. Caregivers Peggy Greer, Stacy Johnson, Monica Thomas, John Woods, Charlene Huddleston and Doris Gilbert. SERVICES Visitation Sunday, January 06, 2019 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM New Hope Baptist Church 1303 Hawkins Street Nashville, Tennessee 37203 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Service Sunday, January 06, 2019 3:30 PM New Hope Baptist Church 1303 Hawkins Street Nashville, Tennessee 37203 Get Directions on Google Maps Interment Monday, January 07, 2019 10:00 AM Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery 7931 McCrory Lane Nashville, TN 37221 Get Directions on Google Maps Print Obituary
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rachel Helen Stinnett Cleveland June 19 1922 December 30 2018.
Death notice for the town of: Nashville, state: Tennessee