1946 to 2018
“For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise.” – Hebrews 10:36
Cleveland Mack was born October 14, 1946 in Bonaire, Georgia to Ella Ree (Woolfolk) and Willie Mack Sr. He was the5thh of 16 siblings. He lived in Perry, Georgia until age 15 when he moved to Boston where he finished High School. He attended St. Augustine College in North Carolina before making his home in Binghamton, NY.
Working with young people was a priority for Cleveland and he was a motivator for implementing many community enrichment programs. He was involved with establishing the Reading is Fundamental Program, organizing tutorial programs for the Teen Center, coaching Little League and teaching photography to young people. Cleveland’s hobbies included woodworking, painting, astronomy, tennis and building electronics.
Cleveland met Judy while he was working at SUNY Binghamton (BU) and she was a student. They married August 13, 1972 and had 2 children, Noelina and Cleveland II. He spent countless hours with his children in the library and going to zoos and museums. Everything was educational. When Cleveland worked nights, he often had a batch of cookies waiting when his children returned home from school. Mostly oatmeal or molasses because they are“healthy.” His grandmother taught him how to “cook” in case his wife got sick. Judy did the best she could to avoid that and let him just stick to baking.
Cleveland loved learning throughout his life and loved to ask people questions to stimulate their thinking. When he first came into contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses his intent was to prove them wrong. After a brief discussion he closed his Bible in the realization that the brother knew more about the Bible than he did. From that time Cleveland and Judy started studying together, 3 times a week, sometimes until dawn. As a couple they progressed quickly and were baptized at the International Convention in Montreal, Canada on July 8, 1978.
As a family Cleveland, Judy and their children enjoyed being a part of several congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses over the years. Cleveland served as a ministerial servant, worked on Kingdom Hall builds and even enjoyed the privilege of being in a drama.
In 1986, Cleveland had surgery to correct a congenital malformation of blood vessels in his brain. Complications after the surgery resulted in a massive brain hemorrhage which left him disabled. Due to the support of his wife and the loving brotherhood his disability didn’t prevent him from being regular at meetings and in the ministry.
On October 9, 2018 Cleveland fell asleep in death. He cherished his relationship with Jehovah holding on to the hope of being resurrected as Jesus promised at John 11:25. His family look forward to welcoming him back in perfect health to a beautiful paradise earth when “no resident will say I am sick” (Ida 33:24).
Cleveland is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judith Mack; children, Noelina (Rob) Hoffman and Cleveland II (Jamie) Mack; grandchildren, Emma and Ethan Hoffman, and Benaiah and Gideon Mack; and siblings, Lillie Brooks, Willie Mack Jr., Arcenia Hughes, George Mack, Betty Jean Porter, Andrew Mack, Margaret Mack, Lanarl Lawson and Vilma Alexander and many nieces and nephews.
