Cleveland Barnes, Jr.

Cleveland Barnes, Jr., 85, of Davenport, died Friday, June 28, 2024 at Harmony-Utica Ridge, Davenport surrounded by family. Funeral services will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Life Church, 842-16th Avenue, East Moline. Burial will be in Oakdale Memorial Gardens. Visitation and Prepass will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at church. Memorials may be made to the family. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Cleveland was born on April 5, 1939 in Chicago, a son of Christine (Abrams) and Cleveland Barnes, Sr. Cleve was raised by his mother and step-father, Earl Lawrence. Cleveland grew up in the church and his faith was very important to him. He would often say “God has been so good to me.” He graduated from DuSable High School in Chicago and earned a scholarship to play basketball at Trinidad State College in Colorado, but a heart murmur prevented him from attending. 

He was united in marriage to Barbara L. Burton on October 14, 1967 in Davenport. She preceded in death on October 17, 1994.

Cleve worked for over 25 years at Oscar Mayer.

Cleve loved sports! He was a UCLA fanatic and would call their basketball office enough they knew him by name. He also enjoyed tennis, good food (BBQ and popcorn especially) and music, as well as the arts.

Those left to honor his memory are his daughters: Tiffany (Corey) Parker, and Tracia Barnes, all of Davenport; grandchildren: Corey, Jr., Baylee, Kendyl, Drew, and Garrett; a great-grandchild, Taylor; a sister, Donna (Namon) Watkins, Texas and many nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and special cousins.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Tanya Barnes-Smith, as well as his parents and stepfather.