Obituary for Cleola Nadine Whitemon
Cleola Nadine Whitemon, a loving wife and mother, entered into eternal rest on May 7, 2013, following a sudden illness. She was 67. Cleola was born on Dec. 9, 1945 in Yankton, South Dakota, to Thomas and Viona Young. She was the seventh of nine children. Her parents later moved the family to Sioux City, Iowa, where Cleola attended school. After high school, she left her parents home to live with an older sister in Lincoln, Neb. She soon met Steven Whitemon and the smitten pair was married on Easter Day, March 29, 1964. Two years later, the couple welcomed their first child, Renee Christine. The couple moved to Denver a few months after their daughter was born. In 1969, they were blessed with a son, Anthony James. Cleola worked at many jobs over the years, showcasing her multitasking skills and her razor sharp attention to details. She was employed at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Wright & McGill, as well as at Samsonite and an apparel manufacturing company as a seamstress. In addition, she worked as a waitress at White Sport Restaurant and as a school cafeteria cook for Denver Public Schools. She took pride in every job, performing each one to the best of her ability. She cherished her family and doted on her children. She was involved in her children’s activities and always encouraged them in their endeavors. She was a stern disciplinarian, but with a soft heart. After a scolding or spanking, she would remind her children how much she loved them by sometimes writing them a simple “I love you” note. She and her husband Steven were married 38 years when he passed away in October 2002. Cleola was a free spirit who trusted her intuition. She also possessed an uncanny sense of discernment that can only be explained as one of spiritual gifts. She loved God and had a personal relationship with Him. Although she was strong-willed and sometimes pushy, she made friends easily. Her bright smile and warm, nurturing demeanor were inviting. She enjoyed playing bid whist and dominoes and was a die-hard Denver Bronco fan. Cleola is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Viona Young; stepfather, Earsul Banks Sr; husband Steven Whitemon; sister, Ruth Williams; and brother, Daniel Young. She is survived by her daughter Renee C. Lee and husband Charles Lee, of The Woodlands, TX; son Anthony J. Whitemon, of Denver; and grandchildren, Brandon Lee, Kyle Lee, Aniyah Whitemon and Kylan Whitemon. Sisters Juanita Richardson (David) and Maxine Porter, both of Denver; brothers Thomas Banks (Paula), of Sioux City, Iowa; Robert Young, of Denver; Earsul Banks Jr (Rachel), of Denver; and Victor Banks, of Sioux City, Iowa. She also leaves to cherish her memory numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at Thursday, May 16, 1 p.m. at Denver Park Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3385 Albion St., Denver, Colo.
To plant a tree in memory of Cleola Nadine Whitemon, visit the Tribute Store.
Loading...