Odile C. Cleveland

Born March 27, 1918 in Tunisia, North Africa, she was the daughter of the late Blanche and Albert Colombe. She met her husband, Lt. John Henry Cleveland of Craigsville, Virginia, while he was in the North African Campaign during WWII. They married in Tunisia at the War’s end; John then returned to the United States and Odile followed several months later as a War Bride.

Odile was the consummate army wife moving her brood of six children to various states and countries from 1946 to 1965. Upon John’s retirement to Staunton, Odile went on to be a hostess at the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, temporary French instructor at Stuart Hall and a volunteer at Kings’ Daughters Hospital Thrift Shop. She also enjoyed hosting a French conversation group in her home for many years.

Some of her hobbies included dried flower arrangements, sewing and knitting. She knitted beautiful afghans for her family and donated many to the Catholic Church for fund raising.

She took great pride in calling Staunton her home. She was a lifelong devoted Catholic and attended St. Francis Church in Staunton for nearly 50 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Cleveland and her daughter, Yvonne Shea and her two son in laws, Ted Lockwood and Stuart Downs. She is survived by her remaining children, Anne Lockwood, Henry Cleveland and his wife, Tina, Jacqueline Downs, Robert Cleveland and his wife, Elizabeth and Jamie Cleveland and his wife, Sandi . Also surviving are her grandchildren, Elise, Mark, Elizabeth, Sarah, Aimee, Mitchell, Elliott, Katherine, John, Lydia, Robbie and great grandson, Crosby.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of BrightView, Home Instead, Hospice and The Legion of Mary for their kindness and professionalism during the care of our mother.

St Francis Catholic Church will hold a funeral mass in her honor on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 10:00AM. The family will have a private gathering at a later date.

Anyone wishing to honor Odile, could do so by donating to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, 96 Laurel Hill Road, Verona, VA 24482

Those wishing may share a memory or an on line condolence by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.