Helen Storey Cleveland

Helen Cleveland was welcomed by Jesus on January 10, 2023 at age 92 after a short illness in Tarboro, North Carolina. Helen was born in Washington, DC on October 16, 1930 to Elsie Pearl and Willis Emory Storey. She spent her early years in Texas and Virginia and graduated first in her class from Occoquan High School in 1948. She met Julian Cleveland at Triangle Baptist Church and they married there on March 25, 1950. They spent twenty years living in various military locations and raised five children.

After Julian retired from the Marine Corps in 1966, they moved to Greenville, NC and Helen attended East Carolina University where she received a BA in Psychology in 1968, graduating first in her class. She earned a MA in Clinical Psychology in 1970, and a MA in Special Education in 1973, becoming a member of MENSA. She worked as a School Psychologist for Greenville City Schools. In 1972 they moved to Tarboro, NC and she joined the Edgecome-Nash Mental Health Center as a Psychologist. She worked her way up to Director in 1975.  She served both counties until her retirement inn 1994.

Helen loved God and served Him at First Baptist Church, Tarboro, NC for over 50 years in many roles including Sunday School Teacher and Deacon. She also enjoyed delivering Meal on Wheels, and she was known for her sense of humor and her sweet potato pies.

Helen will be greatly missed by family and friends. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Pearl, her husband Julian, her son William Cleveland, her sons-in-laws Sam Haltom, Dick Neel and Dave McMichael. She is survived by her sister Betty Shelton, son Charlie Cleveland (wife Sandy), daughters Linda Haltom, Sharon McMichael and Julia Rickman (husband Tim). She is also survived by ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and other extended relatives.

Helen’s Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church, Tarboro, NC on February 4th at 11 am. Private burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery where her husband is buried. Donations in her memory may be made to First Baptist Church, 605 N. Main Street, Tarboro, NC 27886.

Proverbs 31:30-31 “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her own hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

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