Funeral service for Weakley County Commissioner Roger D. VanCleave will be Friday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Gardner United Methodist Church, 2334 Old Gardner Rd., in Martin. Rev. Franklin Gardner and Rev. Tommy Martin will be officiating and burial will follow in Gardner Cemetery, 861 Howell Rd, in Martin.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at the church and after noon Friday at the church until service time, according to the obituary. Pallbearers will be VanCleave’s grandsons and nephews, with Weakley County Commissioners serving as honorary pallbearers.
The obit stated that VanCleave, 70, died at his residence Monday. County Mayor Jake Bynum posted the news of VanCleave’s passing on Facebook at 5:44 p.m. Monday.
“It is with great sadness that I write this evening of the passing of Commissioner Roger VanCleave,” Bynum wrote. “Commissioner VanCleave was serving Weakley County in his fourth term. With two consecutive terms from 1986-1994 and his current service from 2014-2019. Commissioner VanCleave was an ardent representative of both Weakley County and District 7. He was also a vocal supporter of the farming community and transparent government.”
Bynum also wrote, “Even though we mourn the loss of Commissioner VanCleave, we also find it fitting that he leaves us on Veteran’s Day. With the exception of his wife and family, I can think of no greater pride that Commissioner VanCleave had than his military service to our Country. Never one to be hesitant to proudly be recognized and recognize others for their sacrifice.”
Bynum ended his post with a few lines from “America the Beautiful” and asking for prayers for VanCleave’s family.
VanCleave is survived by his wife, Beth Worley VanCleave; his sons, Jamie VanCleave and Jeremy (Amanda) Workman all of Martin; his daughters, Dee VanCleave of Huntsville, AL and Missy (Joe) Estes of Sharon, TN; sister, Lana (Greg) Lee; brothers, Waymon (Vanetta) VanCleave and Terry (Teresa) VanCleave all of Martin; six grandchildren, Ethan VanCleave, Chase VanCleave, Brodie Estes, Eli Estes, Miles Workman and Heidi Workman.
VanCleave, who was born on Sept. 6, 1949, was retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He was a graduate of Martin High School and The University of Tennessee at Martin. He currently was serving on the Weakley County Commission and he was a past board member for We Care Ministries. He was a member of Gardner United Methodist Church where he served as a Lay Delegate and Lay Leader. He was also a U.S. Marine veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Lester VanCleave and Cora Russellene Gardner VanCleave.