Polly Cleveland, 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior during the early hours of August 6th. God in His mercy comforted Polly through all her pains and struggles; His angels came during the night and carried her home.
Mary Pauline was born as the eldest child to Philo & Inez Hortense (nee Helderman) Green on March 30, 1931. She fondly remembered growing up in the mill town of Lowell, NC. When her mother and daddy were at work in the mill, she was charged to get her younger brothers, Laverne and Reg, fed and off to school. The boys always wanted oatmeal, yet SHE was the one stuck cleaning the pot before school! It was a long time before she would eat oatmeal! Despite her small stature, Polly was on the girls’ basketball team at Lowell High where she graduated. Her brother recalls that she was always well-liked by her classmates.
In 1951, she married Don Cleveland, from Ranlo, and followed his naval career with multiple moves between San Diego, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Memphis (and sometimes back again), coming back to Charlotte each time Don was deployed. Needless to say, Polly held many different jobs in addition to being a wife and mom. When Don retired from the Navy, the family of six settled in on Rhyne Rd. A permanent address (60 years) allowed Polly to begin her career at BellSouth, make lifelong friends, and retire in 1996 from the accounting department.
Polly always loved her family. A cousin wrote that “she was one of my best friends, as well as my cousin”. Her brother writes “she was a wonderful sister to have grown up with and she was always there for her family and friends - no matter what.” She was a resilient woman, often a single parent raising 3 sons and a daughter while Don was deployed on one of the many six-to-eight-month cruises. Being all of 4’ 11”, it didn’t take long before each of the boys towered over her, but they all knew that Polly was always in charge. That being said, she was loving and could handle it when accidents, injuries and illnesses occurred. She was the type of woman who leaned on the kitchen counter while the family ate around the table. In her mind, this was easier than hopping up and down to meet their needs. The family enjoyed traveling, whether it be the beach, the mountains, camping, or a return visit to Pensacola Fl. Her door was always open when more than one of her children or other family members needed a home for a period of time. As her family grew to include grandchildren, Polly made trips to visit those that lived out of town or met their parents half-way so the grandkids could visit. As her parents aged, she was there for them. After her father died, she became the primary caregiver for her mother, going to the grocery store, bringing meals, taking her to doctor visits, helping pay the bills, but most importantly, being a friend who visited and talked every day. Polly was a great in-law and mother-in-law. She was always loving and never wanted to be the reason for any conflict.
Polly loved life. Every person warranted respect, regardless of background, race, position or bank account. She might not agree with your politics or the choices you made, but she was always kind and loving. She enjoyed reading and basically collected hundreds of books and magazines. Her yard was filled with jonquils, daffodils, azaleas, violets, and plants of all kinds. She and Don even grew and sold herbs from the backyard. She said she couldn’t kill a jade plant if she tried. A deer showing up in her back yard warranted a photo even when she was in her 80’s!
Above all else, Polly loved her Lord. And to her, loving her Savior meant that she showed her love. When we created a family birthday calendar, we quickly determined that Polly needed her own version because of all the many “other people” she needed to include so she could mail them a birthday card or call them or both. Walking with the Lord also meant service to her church, whether Shady Brook Baptist, Carolina Christian, or Mulberry Baptist. She was involved in the kids’ ministry, the school at Carolina Christian, the choir, and the homebound ministry to name a few. After she chose to stop driving after dark, she helped with Awana as long as someone chauffeured her. Polly was a woman of prayer, who started her day in the sunroom, reading her Bible and praying for all the many people that she loved and cared for.
Polly is survived by her children & their spouses: Don & Teresa (Emerald Isle), Mark & Jo (Denver), Jonathan & Melinda (Kings Mountain) and Joanie & Henry Camp (Denver, CO). Surviving grandchildren are David (Raleigh), Ashley (FL), Gary & Lydia (Raleigh), Gabrielle (CO) and Sofie (CO). She is also survived by her brother Laverne & Freda Green (FL), brother-in-law Dan & Leona Cleveland (GA), and sisters-in-law Tina Johnson (SC) & Rhonda Greene (KY). Surviving great grandchildren are Judeah Abrianna, Michael, Dakotta, Roman, Elijah, Xavery, and Emilee, great-greats Abrianna and Ki’mora, and cousins, nieces, and nephews. When ‘steps’ joined the family, Polly was quick to count them as her own - grandchildren: Billie & Jonathan (Charlotte), Joseph & Patti (Concord), Ashton & John (Emerald Isle), Melody & Kyle (AZ), & Matthew (Kings Mountain), greats: Nicholas, Tristan, Parker, Zachery, Ben, Kade, and great-great: Carson. Polly will be missed by many friends, including Patti Thomas, Bonita Allison, Dolores Sprinkle, Danny Griffin and other Mulberry Baptist members who were all faithful to her. In addition to her husband Don and parents Philo & Inez Green, many loved ones greeted Polly at Heaven’s gates, including granddaughter Emily, brother Reginald Greene, and in-laws Gary & Carrie Cleveland, Bobbie Green and Walter Johnson.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Robinwood Gastonia for their compassionate, loving care as Polly declined since her arrival in 2022, Gaston Hospice and her many, many friends who ministered to her by calling, visiting, sending cards, and most importantly, praying for her. Our most sincere thanks to all these angels on earth!
The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia (700 S New Hope Rd). A funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm in the Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors with Kyle Phillips, Pastor of Mulberry Baptist, officiating. Interment will follow in Gaston Memorial Park.
While flowers are appreciated, if you prefer to make a memorial contribution, please consider Mulberry Baptist Church, 6450 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28214, (704) 399-4500 or Carolina Christian Ministries, 4500 West NC10, Newton, NC 28658, (704) 497-7126. Indicate in the memo line that your memorial is for Polly Cleveland.
Should you wish to mail a card, please send to The Polly Cleveland Family, 404 Alan Drive, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. Also, condolence messages may be shared online at www.mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Cleveland family.
The life she lived is a testament to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Absent from the body; present with the Lord.” (2 Cor 5:8)