Kathleen Viola (Lyman) Cleaver, 100, of Kirksville, MO, formerly of Macon, MO, was born April 25, 1922 in Hale, Missouri, the daughter of Florence Viola Lyman and John Lyman. She passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at the Pines in Kirksville, MO.
She moved to Macon during her junior year in high school and completed high school at Macon High School. She went on to the University of Missouri and then during the war came back and worked in the rationing board in Macon County. After the war, Kathleen and Donald Cleaver were united in marriage on November 10, 1946 and remained married for 56 years.
She worked for the Macon Atlanta State Bank, where she worked for a number of years, and then she worked for the Cleaver Brothers Grocery for many years. Following that, she worked for Banquet Foods as the office supervisor and manager for many years. She also ran the Gift Box, a gift and China shop, at the junction in Macon, Missouri.
Kathleen and Donald always were dedicated, active members of the First Christian Church. She served in many positions including the first female elder, the first female chairman of the board, Sunday school teacher, and always involved in multiple functions of the church. She prepared many meals, many hundreds of plates of cookies, and enjoyed the church as an integral part of her life.
She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Cleaver, brother John Lyman, and his daughter Janice.
She is survived by her son Dr. Lloyd Cleaver and wife Kathy; three grandsons: Dr. David Cleaver and wife Melissa and two great grandchildren Sadie and Sam of Kirksville, Dr. Jonathan Cleaver and wife Tabitha and three great grandchildren Brighton, Macy and Toby of Kirksville and, Dr. Nathan Cleaver and wife Dr. Miranda Cleaver and great grandchildren Lofton and Hadilyn of Cumming, Georgia.
She is also survived by her nephew James Lyman in Kansas City and his wife Beth and their two children Thomas and Kate. Also surviving is nephew Philip Cleaver and wife Joy and their children Lisa and Angela of Oklahoma City and Indianapolis.
Kathleen was an exceptional cook and enjoyed fixing wonderful meals for family and friends. Her recipe books are extensive and made the world’s best gooseberry pie!!! She also was a dedicated daughter and took care of both her mother and Donald‘s father in her home for many years. She loved her grandchildren and delighted in seeing them grow up. She attended every sporting event and concert of her grandsons. She was able to see all three graduate from medical school, get married and see all her great grandchildren. In her later years, she enjoyed using the computer and printing greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions that she sent to many people in the church and community.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at the First Christian Church in Macon, MO followed by the funeral service starting at 11:00 am, with Dr. Dave Leslie officiating. Burial will be held in the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens north of Macon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Macon First Christian Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina, MO.