Barbara Jane Wiley Cleveland, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed peacefully into glory on August 6, 2026, at the age of 95 in her home in Covington, TN.

Jane was born on March 29, 1931, in Fulton, Kentucky. She learned to read before she ever started school, and from the very beginning to the very end of her life, she was a lover of the written word. Books, magazines, handwritten notes, and the simple pleasure of finding something interesting to read were woven into the fabric of her life.

Jane spent most of her life in Memphis, Tennessee, alongside the love of her life, John W. Cleveland. Their story began in Memphis when Barbara was just 15 years old and working as a waitress. One day, John noticed her twirling her shoe on her foot, and, as the family tells it, it was love at first sight for him. Together, John and Jane built a life, raised their family, and shared countless memories before his passing. Their love remained one of the defining threads of Jane’s life.

Jane was a woman of determination, strength, and an unwavering work ethic. Work was important to her, and she took pride in being dependable and hardworking. She retired from McKesson Drug Company after 35 years of dedicated employment, allowing her more time to focus on the things she truly loved. Her retirement years were filled with family, travel, music, movies, books, flowers, and adventure.

Jane loved to travel and made wonderful memories through contesting, which took her to Europe, the Cayman Islands, and Disney World. She looked forward to annual trips to Hot Springs and loved visiting Branson, Missouri. She enjoyed music and concerts and especially loved the movies and shows at the Orpheum Theater.

At home, Jane found joy in her flower gardens and in watching the birds and butterflies that visited them. And, of course, there were always cats. Janie was a lifelong lover of cats, and there always seemed to be a special place in her heart—and her home—for a feline companion. Her love of cats was simply part of who she was.

Jane spent the last two decades of her life in Covington, Tennessee, where she made a home she loved and became a cherished part of the community. She was a faithful patron of the Tipton County Public Library, where her love of reading continued to flourish. Through her book club and her church, First Baptist Church of Covington, she made new friends and found a community that became an important part of her life.

Those who knew Jane will remember her for something even more memorable than all the places she traveled or the things she loved: her wit. She possessed an unexpected sass and a wonderfully dry sense of humor that could appear when you least expected it. Her family will forever treasure the funny sayings she was known for, the motivational notes she wrote to herself, and the hilarious captions she scribbled in the margins of her magazines. These little glimpses of her personality are some of the family’s favorite memories.

Jane loved deeply, and she was deeply loved in return. She was a steady presence in her family’s lives and, to many of them, their rock. She had a strength that could be counted on and a determination that carried her through life’s joys and challenges. Her family will miss her presence, her humor, her wisdom, and all the little Jane-isms that made her unmistakably herself.

Janie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John W. Cleveland, and her son, John “Butchie” Cleveland.

She is survived by her children, Sue Wetzel and Kenneth Cleveland, and daughter-in-law, Christa Cleveland; her sister, Jonelle Clay; her grandchildren, Gwen Branch (Clint), John Cleveland, Bobby Gregory, and Steve Gregory; her greatgrandchildren, Taylor Branch (Emily), Elizabeth White (Andrew), Amelia Branch, Lilian Branch, John Cory Cleveland, Stephan Gregory, and Diego Gregory; her greatgreat-grandchildren, Casey Branch and Livy Branch; her beloved nieces and nephews; and her three kitties Fancy, Biscuit, and Muffin.

Janie leaves behind a family who will carry her with them— in the stories they tell, the laughter she inspired, the lessons she taught, and the love she gave so freely. She will be missed more than words can say.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that you consider making a donation to one of the following organizations. In this way, we hope to continue the spirit of generosity and love that Jane shared throughout her life: Tipton County Public Library 3149 Highway 51 S, Covington Tennessee, 38019, First Baptist Church of Covington, 2105 Highway 59 S. Covington, TN 3801.