Jinks Cleveland

Jinks Cleveland, 86, died at home on August 3, 2015. Born in the woods between Damascus and Blakely, Georgia, on January 23, 1929 he was the second of four sons born to Arthur D Cleveland and Minnie Lee Enfinger Cleveland. Named Arthur at birth, by the time he could walk, he was known as “Jinks,” a name he wore with pride and delight. He spent the first 25 years of his life in South Georgia, growing, running, laughing, and learning as he explored the woods, fields, and streams of rural Georgia. He was the voice of Lefty Lindsey and the Early County Playboys, calling many a dance on a Friday and Saturday night while working as a farmer. He and the love of his life, Billie Ann Williams, were married at her home, later known as the Bluffton House, on December 21, 1952. Soon thereafter he began work at Keenan Auto Parts in Blakely, Georgia, where his talent as a salesman became apparent. His gift of hospitality, his joy of people and life, and his knack for telling stories made him a friend of all and a highly successful salesman. In June of 1956, he and his bride packed up and moved to the big city of Tallahassee, Florida, where he continued to work for Keenan Auto Parts (later CarQuest) as salesman, store manager, and general sales manager for North Florida. Retiring in 1997, he left behind a host of friends and customers who knew him to be honest, reliable, and straightforward. If you wanted to know anything about the Parts Business, you could ask Jinks and he could (and would) tell you. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Billie Ann Williams Cleveland; their children, Art Cleveland (wife Peggy Wright-Cleveland) of Tallahassee, Brett Cleveland (wife Debbie Cleveland) of Tampa, and Caren Cleveland Odom (husband Shawn Odom) of Monroe, Georgia. In addition, his legacy of love, joy, and kindness live on in the lives of his granddaughters, Anna Cleveland, Lillian Cleveland, Eleanor Cleveland, Abigail Cleveland, and Eliza Odom. Retirement afforded him the opportunity to forge new friendships, strengthen old ones, hunt, fish, host fish fries, return to exploring the woods of South Georgia on a regular basis, and sit on the back porch of the Bluffton House. All were welcome in his home and circle of life. He invited all to join him and enjoy the laughing, lying, eating, and hugging. A memorial service will be held at East Hill Baptist Church, his church home of 58+ years, on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 3:00pm. Visitation will be held at East Hill at 2:00-3:00pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to East Hill Baptist Church. Rocky Bevis of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Jinks Cleveland

January 23, 1929 - August 3, 2015