ForeverMissed
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Cleveland Oakes Sr. was born on June 6, 1936, in Sumpter, South Carolina, to the late Theodore Oakes Sr. and Louise Jackson. Cleveland Oakes Sr. departed this system of things on May 1, 2021.

In 1972, Cleveland married the love of his life, the beautiful Curlie Jean Oakes. A fierce and loyal wife who exemplifies all the fine qualities of a servant of Jehovah. They would remain constant companions over the next 49 years. They have six children, Beverley, Yolanda, Anthony (aka Mickey), Cleveland, Latanya, and Teliya. Cleveland was a very loving father and devoted husband. He taught his children the importance of serving Jehovah. Cleveland had a love of science, fishing, and music. As the singer in the family, some would tell you that he had a voice and talent that rivaled some of his favorite artists, Nat King Cole, Arthur Prysock, and The Platters. Cleveland was a great handyman. Give him some duct tape, nails, and hammer, and he could fix just about anything. Cleveland was always willing to provide a helping hand to anyone in need. He loved talking to his children and grandchildren about many topics, but most especially serving Jehovah.

In the late 1960s, Cleveland came in contact with Jehovah's Witnesses. What he learned from the Bible was immensely appealing to him, such as living forever on a paradise earth as mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Psalms 37:22. He symbolized his dedication to Jehovah by water baptism in 1971. Cleveland spent many years preaching the "Good News" of Jehovah's Kingdom and worked hard to help others learn about Christ's sacrifice and the many blessings Jehovah has promised unto humankind. He was a faithful servant of Jehovah and was always willing to assist the congregation.

Cleveland was preceded in death by his brothers Moses, Wiley, Harrison, Theodore, & Hasper. Two sisters Ruby and Thelma. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Jean Oakes, his children, Beverley Simmons, Yolanda (Kendall Washington), Anthony (Theresa) Perkins, Cleveland (Lindsay) Oakes Jr., Latanya (Marlon) White and Teliya, 16 Grandchildren, Danielle(Jason)Brown, Ashley(Andre) Cox (who affectionately nicknamed him Grand-Husband), Jasmine(Reggie) Sabio, Jerrel, Brandon, Huntyr, Claude, Adam, Schuyler, Tyler, Jala, Uriyah, Niia, Siara, Elijah, & Noah. 11 great-grandchildren Yasmine, Taylor, Jaylin, Jayden, Camryn, Jayla, Delaney, Sydney, Kaysen, Ryelan, and Keiani. Three sisters, Juanita Simmons, Rebecca Williams, and Mabel Smith. Sisters in-laws Barbara Jean(Bert) Bivens III, Evelyn Jones, and Francine White, Four brothers-in-law. Glen Scott, Dale(Pauline) Jones, Dwight(Mariella), Jones Phillip (Louise), and Ross White and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly.

"Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life..." - John 5:28 - 29

Memorial Service May 15, 2021
Sumner Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

Chairman
Larry Patterson
Obituary Reader
Anthony Oakes
Memorial Talk
Joe Williams
Closing Prayer
Joseph Purvis

Tributes

Leave a tribute
Beverley Simmons
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2023
I miss you so much Dad. I long to hear your voice, laughter and singing. I look forward to the time that Jehovah bring you back to us. In the meantime Dad I'm determined to keep my integrity to Jehovah. Just a little while longer and I'll see you again. Love you Dad forever and always ❤️
chantel smith
May 11, 2021
May 11, 2021
sleep well uncle Cleveland, until I see u in the new system of things I love u very, very much!!
Cleveland Oakes
May 11, 2021
May 11, 2021
Song 151
HE WILL CALL
                                                          Job 14:13-15  
 
Life like a mist appears for just a day, then disappears tomorrow.
All that we are can quickly fade away, Replaced with tears and sorrow
If a man should die, can he live again?
Hear the promise God has made.
 
                                                               Chorus
He will call, the dead will answer. They will live at his command.  For he
will have a longing for the work of his own hand.  So have faith, and do
not wonder, for our God can make us stand.  And we will live forever. 
As the work of his own hand.
 
Friends of our God, though they may pass away, Will never be forsaken.
 
All those asleep who in God’s memory stay. 
From death, he will awaken.  Then we’ll come to see all that life can be: 
Paradise eternally. 
 
(chorus)
He will call the dead will answer; they will live at his command. For he
will have a longing for the work of his own.  So have faith, and do not
wonder, or our God can make us stand.  And we will live forever, as the
work of his own hand.

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Recent Tributes
Beverley Simmons
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2023
I miss you so much Dad. I long to hear your voice, laughter and singing. I look forward to the time that Jehovah bring you back to us. In the meantime Dad I'm determined to keep my integrity to Jehovah. Just a little while longer and I'll see you again. Love you Dad forever and always ❤️
chantel smith
May 11, 2021
May 11, 2021
sleep well uncle Cleveland, until I see u in the new system of things I love u very, very much!!
Cleveland Oakes
May 11, 2021
May 11, 2021
Song 151
HE WILL CALL
                                                          Job 14:13-15  
 
Life like a mist appears for just a day, then disappears tomorrow.
All that we are can quickly fade away, Replaced with tears and sorrow
If a man should die, can he live again?
Hear the promise God has made.
 
                                                               Chorus
He will call, the dead will answer. They will live at his command.  For he
will have a longing for the work of his own hand.  So have faith, and do
not wonder, for our God can make us stand.  And we will live forever. 
As the work of his own hand.
 
Friends of our God, though they may pass away, Will never be forsaken.
 
All those asleep who in God’s memory stay. 
From death, he will awaken.  Then we’ll come to see all that life can be: 
Paradise eternally. 
 
(chorus)
He will call the dead will answer; they will live at his command. For he
will have a longing for the work of his own.  So have faith, and do not
wonder, or our God can make us stand.  And we will live forever, as the
work of his own hand.
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Recent stories

My Wife Quit Her Job

May 11, 2021
by Cleveland Oakes
The following is a transcript of an interview conducted with Cleveland Oakes and his wife Jean that was published in the February 22, 1985 edition of the Awake Magazine.
Awake!: Has your wife ever had to work?
Cleve: She worked about a year after we got married. Then she got pregnant and had to quit.
Awake!: Did she go back after the baby was born?
Cleve: It’s funny. After she stopped working, I found I didn’t really miss her money.
Jeane: [Laughing] Cleve never really saw much of it anyway! I used to buy shoes, dresses, whatever—he didn’t mind. Of course, I always made sure our bills were paid. But if I wanted two or three dresses, I would just buy two or three dresses.
Awake!: Did you therefore have to work a lot of overtime?
Cleve: I remember one time I needed some money for car repairs. So I put in for some extra work. I was working all sorts of hours and making extra money. Yet in six months I wasn’t able to save one penny.
Awake!: What happened?
Jeane: It seemed like the more he made the more we’d spend.
Cleve: The money just disappeared. Besides, all that overtime was interfering with my
Christian meetings. So after six months I quit the overtime, and in a couple of months I saved up enough money to fix the car anyway.
Awake!: Jeane, have you ever gone back to work?
Jeane: Yes. Last summer I decided I needed more money, and I got a job working at a day-care center. But I worked for only three months. I noticed a change in my little six-year-old girl. Cleve was working nights and taking care of her during the day. And then one night I had to work late.
Cleve: I had fallen asleep, and when I woke up I couldn’t find her. I called for her. No answer. I checked the windows, the doors, the hallways—I looked under the beds—I was in a panic! And then she came out of the closet laughing. I was too shaken up even to punish her.
Jeane: When I heard about this and thought about the way my baby was clinging to me, I began to realize that she was simply starving for my attention. So I decided it wasn’t worth it to work. What money I was making was being eaten up by taxes, lunches, and clothing expenses anyway. So I quit.
Awake!: But still, wasn’t quitting a financial sacrifice?
Jeane: Jehovah God has always taken care of us. And we feel that Jehovah has given parents the responsibility to care for their children. We could see that our baby simply wasn’t being taken care of and that I needed to be with her more. That was more important to us than some job.
Cleve: And again, that extra money really didn’t help us that much. We’re content with what we have. We’re not rich, but we’re not poor either. I see guys on my job who work seven days a week sometimes. I’ve tried it. It doesn’t work for me.
Jeane: I know times are bad, but we really believe the Bible’s promise in Matthew 6:33 that if you seek first the Kingdom, God will provide for you.
Awake!: So what do you now do with your time?
Jeane: For the last three months I’ve been devoting 60 hours a month to teaching people the Bible. It’s a real joy!
Awake!: So you think mothers should stay home?
Jeane: If possible. A grandmother just isn’t a substitute for a mother.

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