Cleo Amanda Almy

Cleo Amanda Carter Almy a ìLady with Spunkî was born on October 11, 1916 in Stuart, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Findley Alvie and Clemintine (Dykes) Carter as well as the youngest daughter of fourteen children. Cleo was raised in various places due the fact her father was a farmer. Cleo started the first grade two times due to the fact the family moved before she could finish the whole year. The following year, she went ahead and enrolled in the third grade because she ìknew the first grade reader by heart.î Cleo never had an explanation of the second grade. However, Cleo excelled in the classroom and loved the learning process. She often stated ìI would rather make the long walk to school because if you were at home there was always work to do in the fields as well as lots of cookingî. Cleo was probably the only Carter daughter to wear clear pink nail polish, cut her hair short, wear knee pants and to have been photographed while wearing a bathing suit while still living at home. On May 27, 1933, Cleo and Irving Frank Almy were united in marriage in Cleveland, Oklahoma. There are four children born to this union Kenneth, Wilbur, Jimmie and Ruby. After their marriage, the couple moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1945. Cleo continued to do what she knew best growing vegetables and canning the fruits of her labor. She was a very frugal person who saved many things to be used later. Cleo gathered items in hopes of giving them to someone in need. While growing up and having a hard life, you might think that Cleo would have taken it easy on her children. Not so, just ask them and they will inform you that while in trouble it might be days before she would give them the punishment they needed. Cleo would always remark, ìGod will be watching you.î While having a new home built in Tulsa; Cleo and her neighbor Lois built, installed and varnished all the kitchen cabinets. That is quite a remarkable under taking for a girl who by passed the second grade. In 1974, Cleo and Frank returned to Cleveland where she has continued to reside. Cleo had lots of family and loved everyone of the them. Her nieces came by often and took her to lunch as well an occasional sleepover. Cleo always looked forward to the phone calls from her family. She especially loved the visitors, which meant the world to her, as well as the visits by Lloyd and Freda. However, Jean, her confidante and daughter in law who assisted Cleo for years with personal needs was a daughter in law who all wish for. Cleo kept a journal of things starting back in 1981. She has made approximately 1,700 quilt tops that have went to homes from New York to California and everywhere in between. In addition to quilt tops, she has made doilies, afghans and one of her most popular item the ìHenî. Although the numbers did not exceed the quilt tops, the ìHenî was discontinued quickly. Cleo often said she would rather make two quilt tops any day than one ìHenî. Then a new and improved ìHenî came about and you had better ask nicely for one. She would always give in with ìyou better enjoy this one because this is it.î Cleo has told her family and friends for many years she was tired and ready to leave this world. However, God had another plan for Cleo the ìLady with Spunkî. Cleo Amanda Almy went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of 94 years five months and 10 days. Survivors are her son, Jimmie Irving and his wife, Jean Almy; one daughter, Ruby Wilson and her husband Ellis of Owasso, Oklahoma; one brother Lloyd Carter and his wife Freda of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; sixteen great great-grandchildren as well as a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn her passing. Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, Alvie Franklin and Clemintine Carter, husband Irving Frank Amly on May 6, 1995; two infant sons Kenneth Frank Almy and Wilbur Lee Almy, four sisters, Linnie, Edna, Ethel and Mildred; six brothers, Bud, Edd, Raymond, Ira, Alvie and Auldon as well as two infant brothers.