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Obituary For Ophelia Johnson Cleveland
A celebration of life for Ophelia Johnson Cleveland, 78, of McDonough, GA will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at DeForest Chapel on the campus of Talladega College. Mr. Seddrick Hill will deliver the eulogy. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the funeral home.
The beloved matriarch of the Cleveland family has gone to be with the Lord. It goes without saying that Ophelia Johnson Cleveland will be missed, but we understand that God does not make mistakes and her work here on earth was complete. She was blessed to be able to see her six children reach adulthood, some of us become parents and even earn the title of grandparents.
The strong, God-fearing and amazing woman known as Ophelia Johnson Cleveland came from humble beginnings. In Dorchester, South Carolina, Will Chavis Johnson and Alise Gilbert Johnson became the parents of Ophelia on December 2, 1944. In the mid-1950s, her parents decided that they wanted a better life for themselves and their growing family, so they packed up what they had and relocated to Orlando, Florida. She completed her education there. During this time, Ophelia fell in love with the late James E. Cleveland and together their union produced six children: Patricia, Jeanette, Debra, James, Corey and Susan. Motherhood came naturally to her and nothing could have made her happier than her children. Ophelia was a devoted mother, always motivating them to follow their dreams and aspirations, encouraged their successes and inspired them to achieve their goals. She was sure to make time for family and friends, but nothing was more important than the time she spent with family on Sundays in worship and fellowship.
In the early 1970s, Ophelia and her children moved to the Ft. Lauderdale area to begin a new chapter in life. During this time, Ophelia began her career with John Knox Village in Pompano Beach where she remained until retirement. Parents should not have to bury their children, but sometimes life throws curveballs at us that we cannot avoid. Unfortunately, during the family’s time in Ft. Lauderdale, her oldest child, Patricia, passed away at the age of 26. This was an especially hard time, but with faith and family we were able to weather this storm. During her years in Ft. Lauderdale, Ophelia was promoted to the position of Grandmother.
In 2017, Ophelia made one more move that landed her in McDonough, Georgia. She made new friends and enjoyed her conversations about the goodness of God and how he had kept her throughout the years. These years were also filled with family time, carrying with it the title of Great Grandmother. The titles of Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother were not taken lightly. She especially enjoyed her summers and holidays with the great grandchildren and leading them on new adventures. During the times she was not faced with the hustle and bustle of family, Ophelia enjoyed working on a good word search. Many people of her era loved watching westerns and she definitely fell into that group. Additionally, she could be found watching game shows, wrestling, Swamp People and shows such as In the Heat of the Night. Previously, Ophelia had soap operas added to her preferred TV line up, but the drama became a little more than she could stomach anymore.
This life well lived came to a close on March 20, 2023. We are sure that she was happy to be reunited with Patricia, Grandpa Will, Grandma Alise, Aunt Delores and her husband, Uncle Charles.
Ophelia’s legacy will live on through her five remaining children, Gwendolyn Jeanette of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Debra Denise of McDonough, GA, James Eric of Talladega, Alabama, Corey Andre (Nikitress) of Pompano Beach, FL and Susan Mae of Fort Lauderdale; thirteen grandchildren, Latasha D. Cleveland, Latkisha M. St. Fluer (Lorenza), Seddrick T. Hill, Sr., Tyneisha N. Cleveland, Brandon B. Butts, Kheldon Houston, Jazmine Cleveland, Corey J. Cleveland, James C. Cleveland, Ashanti D. Hartage, Kyara Cleveland, A’Niaya Fields and Hannah Fields; three great grandchildren, Christopher C. Cleveland, Seddrick T. Hill, Jr. and Miracle P. Greene; two sisters, Fannie Mae Cobwell (John Henry) and LaShawn Johnson Cradic (Terry) of Orlando, FL; a brother, Daryl Johnson of Orlando, FL; a special aunt, Helen Gibson of Orlando, FL; a special cousin, Charles Hankerson of Orlando, FL; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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Lyn lenar roberts jr sent Sentiments of Love Arrangement for Ophelia Johnson Cleveland - March 25, 2023
From your church family at Mind Body and Soul Institution. We love you
SHEARRY RICHARDSON planted 5 trees in memory of Ophelia Johnson Cleveland . - April 01, 2023
Nana, I finally can say what's in my heart. You were my best friend and my biggest cheerleader. You always put a smile on my face when I was having a bad day. No one could have ever told me you was going to leave me so soon. It's like a buried my mother for a second time. I miss our daily conversations and our times at the grocery stores. I love you and no one on the face of this could never take your place in my heart! Keisha
Nana, I finally can say what's in my heart. You were my best friend and my biggest cheerleader. You always put a smile on my face when I was having a bad day. No one could have ever told me you was going to leave me so soon. It's like a buried my mother for a second time. I miss our daily conversations and our times at the grocery stores. I love you and no one on the face of this could never take your place in my heart!, 💕
Mom, I still see your face before me. Your voice I long to hear. I miss and love you dearly, God knows, I wish, you were here. Tears fall freely from my eyes, like a river, filled with grief. My only comfort now, is that, from pain, you've found relief. Missing You, Your girl, Debra❤️
Our condolences to the family. May Her Soul Rest in Perfect Peace!
It is with deepest sympathy that I send love, prayers, and condolences to my godmother Susie, sister Ashanti and extended uncles, aunts, and cousins that I was fortunate enough to gain through the Cleveland family. I want to thank Grandma Phil for all of the love and hospitality shown to my sisters and I coming up. I pray a peace to the family in hopes that God's comfort heals you in your time of mourning. With love, J'Von 💐❤️
To my dearest BFF and extended family, my heart is with you in your time of sorrow. Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time. May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you. May my condolences bring you all comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of your loss. Ms. Ophelia, will truly be missed, I will forever cherish the memories I have shared with her. I love you all! From Sandy and family ❤️💐
Granny! I love you and miss you so much. I would have never thought this moment will come so quickly but God makes no mistakes. Behave up there. lol love you forever..Tyneisha C.
Ms Ophelia I won't say goodbye I'll simple say that I'll see you later. I know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord but this still hurts. Thank you for loving and caring for me because I truly loved you. I promised you that I would learn how to play that card game and I'll make sure to have Corey teach me. Thank you for giving me friends for life in Corey and Susan and thank you for Ashanti my baby.. You will forever be in my heart and thoughts. Pastor Lyn and the entire MBSI church..
May the lord continue to keep you and your family In this season. Taylah and Jamarra
My condolences to you and your family but I pray that God continue to give you peace and that he strengthen you threw this difficult time love Cindy Burton
Debra, you have my sincere condolences and prayers for the loss of your dear mother. I pray that God grants you strength through this difficult time in your life. In all things, we give God praise. Sending blessings and love to you and your entire family.
Condolences go out to you and your family in this time of bereavement. Trust in The Lord and He will direct your paths.
Hello Debra, my clasamate, I'm sending condolences to you and your entire family in this time of bereavement. Know that God will be there for you as always even when we feel an emptiness, lean not to your understanding but lean to the wisdom of our Lord and Shepherd ans He will direct your paths, thoughts and conversation.
Derick Stinchcomb C/O 1983
Debra and family, Words can't begin to express my sorrow for you. Please accept my sincere condolences, and may your happy memories of your mom soon outweigh the sadness you're feeling right now. The world is a little darker from the loss of her brilliant light! Sending More Love and More Love!
Vannis Rucker Lopez
Wishing you strength during your time of healing. You are loved. Love, Shiniqua & Chase
Debra, May the peace of God continue to surround you and your family during this difficult time . Love always Leroy Coleman!! Blessings be upon you!! 🙏🏿💙
To my truest friend Debra, words can't began to explain the pain of losing a mother, it's something that hurts deep, but I pray that God will continue to give you peace, during this difficult time!! May the Love of God surround you and your family!! Sleep on my Queen!! 🙏🏿🙏🏿💙💙 LeRoy
My condolences to you and your family. Please know that it's my prayer that God will strengthen you during this difficult time.
Well family ..our dear aunt, mother , grandmother only sleeping, soon there will be a resurrection to life(John 5:28,29)we know the sin we inherited from Adam/Eve brought about death and now we all feel the pain death bring(Romans 5:12). The devil does not win , because GOD promise he will undo all the works of him soon. Revelation 21:3,4 soon all pain and suffering will be gone.. Now we the living should reflect on our life , this is why we go to house of mourning(Ecclesiastes 7:2) we have time NOW to see what the Bible directs us to do, to remain in GOD favor...Charlotte (niece)
To Debra and family, I pray that God grants you all comfort in your time of sorrow and strength in the future. Ms. Ophelia loved the lord and we know that her prayers will continue to surround you now and forevermore. Love Tonya❤️❤️
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
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