Mary Whitfield Cleveland

- Mary Whitfield Cleveland, age 78, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024, at Beverly Park Place in Knoxville after her courageous battle with dementia. Mary was born in Dalton, Georgia on March 30, 1945. She grew up in Etowah, TN, attending Etowah High

School with her friends, the “Southside Gang.” After graduation, she moved to Knoxville where she met the love of her life and husband of 54 years, Don Cleveland.

Mary worked for Travelers Insurance for 44 years and was a long-time member of Smithwood Baptist Church, forming many great friendships along the way. She loved music, movies, walking, shopping, and trying new restaurants, as each gave her more opportunities to be with the ones she loved. She was also an avid lover of all animals, especially her beloved dogs Meg and Millie. Mary’s kindness, infectious sense of humor, genuine love for others, and strong Christian faith will be remembered by all who knew her. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Eugene Whitfield and Wilma Rackley Whitfield, and brother-in-law Lt. Col. Don Jackson. She is survived by her husband, Don Cleveland, Jr, daughter Kristi Dunkel (Chris), sister Judi Jackson, niece Robbie Sutherland (Dave) and her three children (Josh, Sarah, and Hannah), sister-in-law Barbara Edwards (J.J.), and dearest friends, Terry Drinnon and Wanda and Rick Long. The family would like to express their most sincere appreciation to the staff of Beverly Park Place and Smoky Mountain Hospice for their compassionate care. While the family will be holding a private ceremony, friends are encouraged to email any memories or pictures of Mary they would like to share to RememberingMaryWC@yahoo.com or post them online on the Knox News Obituaries site. Donations may be made in her memory to the Pat Summitt Foundation or a favorite animal rescue shelter.