Surrounded by loved ones, Henry E. “Gene” Cleveland, Jr., 78, Gadsden, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Funeral services will be at Collier-Butler chapel at 3:00pm Sunday, March 4, 2018. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 pm prior to the service. Burial will be at Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.
Mr. Cleveland was born in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Ensley High School in 1957 and the University of Alabama in 1962. He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Rose Jennings while at the University and moved to Gadsden where he worked his entire career at the steel plant until it closed in August 2000.
He was an active member at Bellevue United Methodist Church and in the United Methodist local district. He served in various capacities for over 50 years, including interim choir director and the Methodist Men’s Club. Mr. Cleveland was also very involved in the Gadsden community, serving in leadership roles in the Noccalula Little League, Emma Sansom Band Club, The Way of the Cross and The Love Center.
Mr. Cleveland enjoyed helping people through serving meals or by providing needed items, supporting the Alabama football team through The Red Elephant Club, traveling and playing golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Berenice Cleveland.
Mr. Cleveland is survived by his wife, Evelyn Cleveland; four children: Gene III(Allison) Cleveland, Russell (Lynn) Cleveland, Angie (Matt) Mabrey, and Vicki (Ivey) Williamson; grandchildren, Justin (Cassidy) Cleveland, Ry Cleveland, Cameron (Taylor) Candella, Victoria (J.D.) Bergman, Justin (Tiffany) Ammerman, Jack Cleveland, Sam Cleveland, Matthew (Hannah) Mabrey, Meredith Grace Mabrey, Reeder Williamson, and Keller Williamson; great-grandchildren, David Cleveland, Marlin Cleveland, Juniper Cleveland, Daxton Candella, Jude Ammerman, and Lyla Cleveland; sister, Kathryn Buchanan; and brother, O’Neal (Dianne) Cleveland.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bellevue Methodist Church, The Way of the Cross, or the Love Center.
Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.
