Gustava Barksdale Cleland, beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother went home to be with her Lord on December 11, 2022. A graveside service will be held Thursday, December 15 at 1:00 pm at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, followed by visitation from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.
Gustava was born in Glenmora, Louisiana, on November 8, 1922. She was the youngest of two brothers and two sisters. Gustava’s family lived briefly in Bossier City, Louisiana, before moving to Mirabile, Missouri, where her father served as minister of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She attended Baylor School of Nursing in Dallas and graduated as a registered nurse.
While living in Missouri she met and married the love of her life, Howard J. Cleland. Soon after their marriage she moved to Jacksonville, Texas to be with her family while Howard served as a Naval officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II. In 1947 she and Howard moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and she worked as a registered nurse at St. Dominic’s Hospital. In addition to nursing, she was strongly devoted to her husband and four children. She was always faithful in supporting and attending her children’s many activities which included church, music, sports, and cheerleading. She loved cooking for her family, extended family, many dear friends, and children’s friends.
Gustava joined First Presbyterian Church Jackson in 1947 and remained active at First Presbyterian and Trinity Presbyterian during her lifetime.
She had a radiant personality and graciously shared her love with smiles while giving compliments to all she met. She lovingly served dear family, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was affectionately known as Gustava, Mom, Aunt Gus and Nana.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 69 years, Howard J. Cleland and daughter, Jane O”Mara. She is survived by three children, Beth Cleland Harper (Eddie) of Brandon, Dr. William Howard Cleland (Gyanne) of Brandon, and Charles David Cleland (Rebecca) of Madison. Gustava was the proud grandmother of Charlie Harper, (Charlotte) of Starkville, Stephen Harper (Kimberly) of Brandon, Cheryl Harper Poole (Cameron) of Mainville, Ohio, Meredith Cleland Johnson (Chad) of Madison, Drew Cleland (Kimberly) of Madison, Kate O’Mara Chandler (Martin) of Franklin, Tennessee, Mandy Brownlee (Derrick) of Brandon, Michelle Smith of Flowood. She was blessed with 15 great grandchildren and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Gustava’s family would like to express heart felt appreciation for the loving care she received from all the nurses and staff at Campbell Cove, St. Catherine’s Village.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1390 North State Street, Jackson, MS. 39202.
