Deborah Ree VanCleave

Deborah Ree VanCleave passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, October 22, 2020.

Deborah was born April 27, 1960 at St Mary’s Hospital in Athens, Georgia.  She grew up attending elementary and middle school graduating from Cedar Shoals Highschool, class of 
1979.  In high school she was active in drill team and several community volunteer projects and working part time.

After graduation, she attended Clarksville Technical College graduating in 1981 and moved to the Atlanta area where she worked in childcare weekdays and the IRS on weekends. 

Deb moved to Tacoma in 1986 and continued her work in early childhood education and development. Deb attended Clover Park Technical College earning a certificate in child development and an AA in human services.  Deb started her career working for Washington State. She had foster 13 kids in total and adopted 1 child she was a devoted strong mother. Deb continued to work and go to school, earning her her BA at Evergreen State College and in 2010 started working for Clover Park School District. She medically retired from there in 2015. Deb attended New Jerusalem church and became active with children’s programs and the choir.  

Deb is predeceased by her father Lester VanCleave and maternal grandparents Lula and Griffie Johnson. She is survived by son Benjamin.

Also left to mourn are well first son Benjamin mother Liz R. VanCleave, sister Lorraine VanCleave and brother Travis Lattimore as well as a host of aunts, uncles, family and friends.

Do Not Stand By My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

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