Betty Cleveland

On August 2, 2020. Beloved wife of William Cleveland, Lt USN (deceased); loving mother to Brian Cleveland (deceased), Sandra Rosell, and Michael Cleveland (wife Suzanne). Betty is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Aaron Cleveland, Dan Cleveland (Carrie), Jennifer Wainberg (Mitch), Heather Cleveland, Bill Rogers (Chelsea), Melissa Edman (Ben), Marcus Cleveland (Miranda), Ryan Cleveland (Kimberlee) and Kyle Cleveland (Nicole) as well as her niece Margaret Cleveland. Betty was proud of her 14 great-grandchildren.

Betty was born to Rose and Cecil Bell in 1926, In Detroit Michigan. Cecil was an iron worker who followed his work from city to city: Detroit, New York, Washington DC, and Richmond. As an only child, Betty cherished times and mischief-making with her dear cousins. Betty told herself she would marry a farmer or lawyer because they stay in the same place. Bill Cleveland, a sailor in the US Navy, changed all that. She was smitten with him the first time she saw him and then followed him all over the world. They lived in the Philippines, Morocco, and Istanbul when they were not in the US.

She and Billy raised Brian, Sandy, and Mike as they moved from country to country. She was a devoted mother and homemaker creating her family’s home wherever Billy’s career took them. Betty thrived in every culture the family lived among; she taught her children the love and admiration for the people with whom they became friends. She was an ardent supporter of Native American art and traditions. One of her many memories was dancing with the Indians. Betty loved and lived passionately and creatively. Her home’s treasures provide a glimpse of their life and adventures. She was an avid bridge player, participated in women’s groups, loved to dance, and shared an exuberance for life. She will be missed.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 9th HINES- RINALDI FUNERAL HOME, INC. 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Donations may be made to https://contribution.aa.org in lieu of flowers.