Cleveland Williams

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4

Cleveland Williams the beloved son of Irene Moore Williams was born on February 9, 1947 in Fairfield Alabama. He was raised by his mother and her sister Ruby Farris, both of whom preceded him in death. In early years of his life, Cleve moved to Gary, West VA, and then came north to Mount Vernon NY with his family.

At an early age Cleve and his family were members of Kyle Chapel in   Gary, West Va. Upon arriving in NY, the family attended Grace Baptist   Church, Mt. Vernon, NY. After moving to Rockland County, NY, Cleve visited many churches, but he had a particular love for Be Transformed Ministry, pastored by Alonzo Coombs, in Nyack, NY. Pastor Alonzo became a friend and confidant. He was also a frequent visitor at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Manhattan, where Rev. Earlene Oliver is Pastor. Cleve also followed and admired Pastor Kim Beacham of Maranatha Baptist Church, Queens Village, NY.

In 1968, Cleve married Jessie M. Williams. From this union, one son was born, Eric Williams, However, before he met Jessie, he was blessed with twin girls, Robin and Rhonda and was Godfather to Khadija Fulton and Lindsay Nixon.

Cleveland attended Mt. Vernon High School, and as a track and field athlete he was awarded a 4-year scholarship to NY Institute of Technology in Old Westbury NY, winning many medals and accolades. His claim was that he just missed qualifying for the Olympics in 1968.

During and after College, Cleveland worked for the Archdiocese of New York for many years, in different capacities. He started as a Youth Counselor in the Bronx NY. After college, he was promoted to Director of St. John’s School  for Boys in Far Rockaway, NY.  In 1996, upon relocating to Rockland County he was assigned to be Director of Human Resources for the Archdiocese in their Manhattan location. His last assignment for the Archdiocese was as Recruiter, hiring teachers to staff a program developed to assist children in Harlem, NY. After retiring from the Archdiocese, he was hired as Director of Human Resources by The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, an international non-profit whose mission is to bring people together to fight avoidable blindness and restoring sight to the blind around the world. Their plane is unlike any plane you’ve seen before. A state-of-the-art teaching facility complete with operating room, classroom and recovery room.

After Cleve’s illness, he was not able to work full-time, so in order to stay busy, he worked part-time for The Chestnut Ridge Bus Co. in Rockland County, NY. Cleve was preparing for the test for his license in Real Estate, but was too ill to take the exam.

Cleve and Jessie enjoyed traveling around the world, with their traveling buddies and long-time friends, Marie and Bela Makula.  August 4, 2019 would have been the 51st Wedding Anniversary for Jessie and Cleve. They planned a trip to Cuba and Aruba but unfortunately, the trip had to be cancelled because of his failing health. Apparently, other travel plans were in store for Cleve.

Cleve was admired and loved by so many people. He helped everyone he could and was an example and role model of how to be a good man.

On June 7, 2019 at 8:11 PM, after a long and courageous battle with Cancer, Cleve passed away peacefully at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jessie Mae, three children, Eric, Robin Lucas (Wilson), Rhonda Decaul (Wayne), Grandchildren, Eric II, Ajani, Torre’, Rae and DeAndre, five great grandchildren, two sisters, Sandra Beatty, Donna Bailey  (Eulice), one adopted sister, Stephany Neal, two brothers, Joe Nathan (Dorothy) and Christopher, mother in-law, Mozell Williams, brother-in law, Chester Williams, sister- in-law, Shirley Nixon, daughter-in-law, Monique Williams, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of loving friends.

The unwavering care and support Cleve received from his brother Joe and wife, Dorothy Williams must be acknowledged here today.

Special Thanks:

The immediate family,
His Calvary warrior visitors, who provided comic relief and kept his spirits up, namely: Ross Williams, James Holley, Deacon and Mrs. Moore,  Marie and Bela
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Dr. Carrington and the Calvary nurses, staff and Recreation Crew.
St. Joseph’s Seniors

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