Cleta Mayo Alexander

Cleta Fern Mayo Gough Lang Alexander, affectionately known as “Pie” or “Meme” by those who knew her best, passed away on the evening of March 1, 2025, as a result of complications from a pelvic fracture. She was 84 years old.

Born in El Reno, Oklahoma, Cleta was the eldest of two children, spending most of her youth in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Once married to her first husband, Bill, Cleta traveled across the world as an Air Force wife, eventually welcoming her two daughters, Jodi and Elizabeth, into the fray before settling in Texas in 1974. Cleta moved to Tampa in March 1987 for work and couldn’t help but fall in love with the town.

Cleta loved art and served as a docent at the Tampa Museum of Art for many years. Her favorite place in the world was the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Her other passions included Lamplighters, book club, ballroom dancing, traveling the world, classic movies, and, of course, Elvis.

Cleta is survived by her daughter, Jodi McMaster (Gary); her grandchildren, Elyce Lahay (Nathan) and David McMaster; and her great-grandchildren, Zoey and Ollie Lahay.

Cleta is also survived by her stepchildren, Michael Alexander, Bill Alexander (Lisa), and Matt Alexander (Denise); her step-grandchildren, Travis Alexander, Matthew Alexander (Abby), Shannon Alexander, Patrick Alexander, Drew Alexander (Emily), Caroline Alexander, Cameron Alexander (Kierstin), Grace Alexander, and Trent Alexander; and her step-great-grandchildren, Lane Alexander, Luke Alexander, Mason Alexander, and Jack Alexander.

Cleta was predeceased by her daughter, Elizabeth; her spouses, Bill Gough, Al Lang, and Bud Alexander; her sister, Ricci Lambert; and her parents, Arthur (“Toots”) and Irene (“Jimmie”) Mayo.

A celebration of life for Cleta will be held Friday, March 7, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Blount & Curry Life Event Center, 605 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609.