Bernice CLEVE
April 2, 1913 ~ January 8, 2007
Mrs. Hazel Bernice (Worley) Cleve, 93, of rural St. Francois Co., near Libertyville, died Jan. 8, 2007, at Presbyterian Manor, Farmington. She was born April 2, 1913, in Sprott, & was the daughter of Albert L. & Maggie M. (Reynolds) Worley. She was a lifelong resident of the county & grew up on her parents' farm on what is now Worley Rd in SE St. Francois Co. She graduated from Clearview School on Busiek Road.
On Dec. 6, 1936, She was married to John F. Cleve. Prior to her marriage, Bernice was employed at Rice Stix Shirt Factory, Farmington. In 1939, she and her husband purchased a farm on what is now Wesley Chapel Rd., near Libertyville. It was there that she raised her 3 children, instilling in them her lifelong values of hard work, thriftiness, honesty & generosity. In spite of the adversities of small family farms, she was optimistic, and her determination to succeed earned her much respect within her community. In 1962, she was employed as a Psychiatric Aid at the Farmington State Hospital, and continued her employment there until her retirement in 1977. Her husband, John, died December 18, 1982, & she continued to live on the farm until she became a resident of Farmington Presbyterian Manor in May of 2004.
She was preceded-in-death by her husband, John, a sister, Thelma (Mrs. Lester) Price, a sister, Helen, (Mrs. Noah) Shirrell, infant brother, Henry & infant sister, Gladys.
She is survived by 3 children: Marjorie (Fred) Smith, of Fenton; Dorothy (Wayne) Johnson, of Nacogdoches, TX & Farmington; Albert (Karen), of Farmington. Also, brother, Theron (Erma) Worley, of Farmington; sister, Dorothy (Mack) Brann, of St. Peters, MO., and sister, Norma (William) Johnson, of Chesterfield, MO; Also survived by grandchildren, Frederick Smith, of Arnold, MO; Charles (Kelly) Smith and children Chad & Lindsey of Cedar Hill, MO; Andrew Smith, of Fenton; Jennifer Cleve (Donnie) Blum, and their daughters, Campbell & Kendall Blum, of Farmington; and Katie Cleve (Matt) Winick, of Gordonville, MO. Also survived by nieces & nephews; children of brother, Theron: Faye, Richard, Glenda Boersig, Eddie & Steve; children of sister, Norma: Paul & Wayne; children of sister, Helen: Frances Laney, Helen Mattina & James; and children of sister, Dorothy: Diane Newcomb & Donald.
After the death of her husband, she was a volunteer at the Farmington Ministerial Alliance Thrift Store for many years. She was a member of the Clearview Neighbors Women's Club & was Treasurer for many years. Until her move to Presbyterian Manor, she served as an election official for her precinct. She was also an active member of the Libertyville United Methodist Church WSCS.
After her retirement from the State Hospital, she became a weekly participant in the Farmington United Methodist Church Quilter's Group. Quilting was her passion & hobby, and a quilt made from her son Albert's neckties, entitled: "Ties That Bind" and later presented to him during the Draft Horse Show at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia in August 2003, was one of her many quilting achievements.
Visitation: Wednesday, 4-8 pm; Visitation resumes Thursday, 7-9 am. Visitation at Libertyville United Methodist Church starts at 10 a.m.
Funeral: Thursday, 11:00 a.m., January 11, 2007
at: Libertyville United Methodist Church - Libertyville, Missouri, with Rev. Phil Senter officiating.
Interment: Lutheran Cemetery, Farmington.
Memorials to: * Lutheran Cemetery &/or * Libertyville Methodist Church.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of sorrow. Berniece was an awesome lady and will be missed by many. God bless you all!
Aunt Bernice will always have a place in my memories for "…well…and another story about I guess that was the way it was Helen." Now they can share their good times together. Love to all the Worley-Cleve Family.
The Bernice Cleve Family We are so sorry for the loss of your mother, the lonely lady will be so missed May the presence of our heavenly Father sustain you during this difficult time. We are sharing in your sorrow and praying for you. With Loving Sympathy.
Dorothy – We met at the Manor when your mother and my mother (Virginia Johnson) were both residents there. I read in the Daily Journal about your mother going to her heavenly home. I just wanted to send my regrets and say that I've never seen anyone take better care of a loved one than you and Wayne took care of your mother. God Bless you Both.
To the Family—You have so much to be proud of. Your mother was such a perfect lady–friend an neighbor. Always ready in the time of need. Always giving of herself. May God truely bless each of you an for you to be so thankful for all the years an beautiful memories you have. God Bless each of you.
I am very sorry for your lost. Bernice was a beautiful lady inside and outside out. She was a person who touch all lives that she came in contact with. She will be missed but her spirit will live in each of us. Bonita, Jayme, Jana, Guss, Jason and Little Grace.
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Bernice Cleve. I have known her daughter, Dorothy, and son-in-law, Wayne, for many years. Through them, I know that Bernice was a very special and loving person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.