Lillian Cleveland

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23:6)

Lillian Cleveland’s earthly course commenced on June 29, 1944, in Helena, Arkansas. She was the ninth of ten gifts from the Lord assigned to the parental stewardship of the late Willie and Rosie (Fifer) Cleveland, Sr. Reared under the umbrella of Christian inspiration and influence, Lillian seized the certainty of her eternal destiny in the tender years of her youth by accepting Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized. Lillian was educated in the public school system of Helena - West Helena, Arkansas, and graduated from Eliza Miller High School. Time and providence directed her acquaintance with A.C. Allen and they married on February 24, 1962. They were entrusted with parenting two precious gifts housed in the personalities of two sons, George and A.C., Jr. Lillian dedicated herself to her family, becoming a homemaker. She saw to it that her children were given the best she could provide in loving care, spiritual nourishment, and daily comforts. The family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1965, and Lillian remained devoted to the nurture of her young family. She endeavored to pass on her value of family to her sons by spending quality time with them. A family tradition emerged when Lillian combined two things that she loved, family and fishing, and she took her sons fishing every Sunday. To Lillian, family also consisted of those in her community. She was blessed to live in an area in Los Angeles where you were not just neighbors but a community. Lillian poured her love upon the children she babysat. She also invested her love, care, and concern into the lives of other children she encountered. Thus, Lillian was highly regarded and respected as one of the neighborhood mothers who “corrected” them when they were not conducting themselves consistently with what they have been taught. When asked, Lillian would share stories of some of her “neighborhood mother” encounters with many of the then-up-and-coming R&B artists that lived in her area during their youth. Lillian began working for Carter Hawley Hale in Los Angeles, California. The fruit of her hard work and dedication earned her a promotion in 1979 to the position of administrative assistant. Lillian continued to render honorable years of service to Carter Hawley Hale up to and through their years of reorganization in the early 1990s. Soon after, Lillian began working as a greeter at Walmart in Los Angeles, California. She became an avid bowler and joined one of the local bowling leagues. Lillian united with the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, where she reaffirmed her profession of faith in Christ and was rebaptized. She served as a faithful member until she relocated to South Bend, Indiana, in 2000 to assist with the care of her older brother Joe Henry. Lillian continued to work at Walmart in South Bend, Indiana, and remained active with the bowling league until her health limited her attendance and participation. Resigned to the retirement years of her life, Lillian would be found at any moment doing what she loved most: bowling, sewing, and going to the casino. A woman with a quiet spirit, joyful soul, and warm smile, Lillian was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, caring sister, and faithful friend. Lillian’s earthly course concluded on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Ernestine M. Raclin Center for Hospice in Mishawaka, Indiana. The lessons she has taught us will live on forever; the wisdom she imparted in us will live on forever; and the life she lived will live on forever. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) Among those preceding her deliverance from the shores of this earthy life is her son: A.C. Allen, Jr.; six brothers: O.C. Cleveland, James Cleveland, Willie Cleveland Jr., Joe Henry Cleveland, Iziah “Jake” Cleveland, and Rev. Allen Cleveland; and two sisters: Mary Cleveland and Dorothy Cleveland - Humphries. She is survived by her devoted son, George Cleveland of South Bend, Indiana; one sister, Laura Harris of Chicago, Illinois; one granddaughter, Djavan Cleveland; two grandsons: Khiry Cleveland and Jordan Cleveland; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. The family would like to thank the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care, Memorial Hospital, and the Ernestine M. Raclin Center for Hospice for their assistance and support in taking care of Lillian.

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