James Cleveland, affectionately known as "Jimmy", son of Arthur Cleveland and Oralee Starks Cleveland McClennon, was born April 12, 1939.  He was a son to the heart of Richard McClennon who reared Jimmy as his own son.  James "fell asleep" at Trident Medical Center, Charleston, SC on Sunday, June 25, 2017.

In his early years, he became a member of Sumpter Chapel United Methodist Church.

On September 23, 1961, he was joined in holy matrimony to Marjorie B. Williams. This union was blessed with six children and one adopted daughter.

Jimmy attended the public schools in Berkeley County, SC. He worked several jobs in his life beginning in New Jersey at Great Gee.  In the early 1970s, he moved his family to St. Stephen, SC.  During this time, he began working at Daniels Construction. He later transitioned to Santee Cooper as a utility worker for over 20 years from where he retired.

During his free time, Jimmy enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching sports, bowling and teaching his grandchildren to do many things.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph Cleveland; sister, Hester Adams; and two sons, Jeremy R. Cleveland and Bernard R. Cleveland.

James leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Marjorie B. Cleveland; two sons, James R. Cleveland of St. Stephen, SC and Charles R. Cleveland (Leah) of Fountain, CO; three daughters, Juanita J. Cleveland, Brenda E. Cleveland both of St. Stephen, SC and Diane Golden (Jerome) of Roselle, NJ; one goddaughter, Stephanie J. Wilson of Prince George, VA; sixteen grandchildren, Laura, Edwina, Clifton, Anastasia, Danisha, Anitra, Dante, Ciara, Cierra, Ty, Ajia, Nico, Isaiah, McKenzie, Brook and Jade; ten great-grandchildren; uncle, Rev. Melvin (Mary) McClennon; special nieces, Destiny Beauford, Shaylin and Kaylin Adams, Emma Pou and Elizabeth Cleveland; special nephews, Javone Adams, Joseph Cleveland, Jr., William Cleveland and Roshaun Adams; brother-in-law, Charles (Emma) Williams; sister-in-law, Caroline Cleveland; four daughters-in-law, Pamela Ulmer, Stacey Askew, Felicia Cleveland and Karen Grier; two best friends, Gilbert Gillard and Jimmy "Bo" Thompson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.