Bernice Cleve

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.