Alma Modesta Cleveland

Alma Modesta Criswell Cleveland, known to all as Dessie, passed away on April 3, 2017. Dessie was born on May 26, 1925 in Buffalo, Oklahoma, the sixth child of Harrison and Mary Brown Criswell.

Dessie attended grade school at the Liberty and Independence schools. She attended high school at Mount Carmel Academy in Wichita, Kansas and graduated in 1943. Afterwards, she earned an Associate's Degree in Secretarial/Business Relations from Sacred Heart Junior College, also in Wichita. While there, Dessie also participated in several musical productions which led to a lifetime love of music.

Through her brother, she met Loren Cleveland, a returning veteran of World War II. They married on June 5, 1948 and enjoyed 66 years together. Dessie's first job after college was with the Harper County Extension Office. She later worked as a secretary to Division Engineer at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. She also helped Loren in his insurance agency and together they owned and operated the Cleveland Clothing Store for fifteen years.

Dessie and Loren enjoyed traveling and took several cruises during their marriage. Always physically active, Dessie played softball on a local team and organized neighborhood volleyball games. She also stayed active by speed-walking and tending her much-admired flowerbeds.

Dessie was an avid Sooner fan and bird-watcher. She was a dedicated bridge player, whether with the local bridge club or on the computer. Truly dedicated to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, she was active in the Women's Club and church choir. She also served as lector and eucharistic minister.

Dessie's husband and parents preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her sister, Mary Cecily and brothers Victor, Bryan, Laurence and Eugene "Jiggs".

She is survived by her younger sister, Naola Conner of Phoenix, Arizona, daughter, Sue and Jimmie Biedermann of Corpus Christi, Texas, son, John and Denise Cleveland of Birmingham, Alabama, son, Tom and Kristine Cleveland of Edmond, Oklahoma, daughter, Alice and Terry Zollinger of Buffalo, Oklahoma, son, Robert and Michelle Cleveland of Buffalo, Oklahoma, grandchildren, Amy Biedermann, Sarah Riley, Brian Cleveland, Robert Cleveland, Michael Cleveland, Hunter Cleveland, Sydney Cleveland, Lee Zollinger, Sami Zollinger, Krista Nairn, Noel Cleveland and Will Cleveland and eleven great-grandchildren.

Rosary Service Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Buffalo, Oklahoma. Funeral Mass Friday, April 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Buffalo, Oklahoma. Interment will follow the service in the Highpoint Cemetery in Buffalo, Oklahoma.

Services under the direction of Laverne Funeral Home, Laverne, Oklahoma.