Jerry Cleveland

Jerry Cleveland, age 85, of Walnut Grove, was born March 3, 1940, in Snead, and passed away Jan. 17, 2026.

Jerry grew up in Walnut Grove, where he was a proud Walnut Grove Tiger his entire life. He graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1958. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jerry joined the United States Navy, where he served honorably for 24 years. During his naval career, he traveled the world and logged more than 10,000 flight hours in a P-3 aircraft. He retired from the Navy in 1982.

After retirement, Jerry and his family returned to his favorite place in the world — Walnut Grove. Retirement was short-lived, as he began a second career in 1983 with the State of Alabama Department of Corrections. After helping open the St. Clair County Corrections Facility, he served the remainder of his career as a SIR Officer, overseeing several North Alabama counties. He later retired for the second time.

In retirement, Jerry devoted himself completely to his family and community. He followed his youngest daughter and grandchildren throughout the Southeast, faithfully supporting their sporting events. He served his community as a member of the Walnut Grove Town Council and was a devoted West End Booster. Jerry coached youth football and was a constant supporter of high school sports. One of his favorite stories was wrestling a bear to raise money for new football field lights — lights that are still in use today.

While Jerry deeply loved Walnut Grove and West End, his greatest priority was his wife, Betty. She was the love of his life, and he took great pride in caring for her and giving her everything she ever wanted. One of their fondest memories was a road trip to Alaska and the Arctic Circle with two of their grandchildren and daughter-in-law. Jerry often said that after traveling the world, that trip was his favorite of all.

In his later years, Jerry enjoyed genealogy and tracing family history back through generations. Jerry and Betty were also longtime supporters of the West End Lions Club. After Betty’s passing in 2020, Jerry spent much of his time sharing memories of their life together and reminiscing about their travels, especially their trips to West Virginia.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Betty Brown Cleveland; his parents Buford Cleveland and Myrtle Morgan Cleveland; and his siblings Sammie (Claud) Sansom, Carolyn (Ed) Landers, Martha (Doug) Ford, Arnold B. Cleveland, Douglas Cleveland, and Ann Williams.

He is survived by his children Shawn (Vickie) Cleveland, Allison (JD) Hudson, and Angela (Michael) Bankovich; grandchildren Zack (Lashonda) Roebuck, Kaelan (Taylor) Cleveland, Morgan (Tyler) Pullum, Karle Chamberlin, Kade Bankovich, Kessa Bankovich; brother in law Ned Williams; and several great-grandchildren.

A visitation was held Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Parlor C, located at 625 Gilbert Ferry Road SE, Attalla, Ala. 35954. The funeral service followed at 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Bill Haynes and Jimmy Umphrey officiated. Military honors were rendered immediately following the service at Altoona Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Zack Roebuck, Kaelan Cleveland, Kade Bankovich, Tyler Pullum, Cody Thompson, and Johnathan McBrier.