Cleveland Williamson, Jr.

Mr. Cleveland Williamson, Jr. passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by family in Saginaw, Michigan. Cleveland Jr. was born April 23, 1943, in Coldwater, Mississippi, to Cleveland Williamson Sr. and Ethel (James) Shipp.

Cleve later moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where he created an extended network of family and friends. Some have affectionately referred to him as “Cleve”, “Uncle Poochie”, “Papa”, and “Daddy”.

Cleve was the true epitome of what it means to be a patriarch. He was the patriarch of his family. Always loved and always respected.

Cleve retired from General Motors UAW Local 455 after 40 years and eventually took an interest in ballroom dancing. He was a member of the 3 + 3 dance club and taught classes at the Buena Vista Recreation Center. Most mornings were spent walking, and some afternoons were spent visiting sick friends in the hospital or attending sporting events of his great-grandchildren. He spent his retirement being present for those he loved.

Among all of the amazing attributes that we will remember Cleveland by, we will definitely remember his impeccable style.

His legacy will continue with his wife of 62 years, Modenia Williamson, his seven children: Roger (Stacy) Cosby, Donald Earl Cosby, Valerie Humphrey, Sandra (Elijah) Jones, Dorothy (Jimmie) Williams, Tracy Baber, and Carla Williamson; seventeen grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren; siblings, Ethel Jean (Willie) Thompson, Estelle Wright, Coldwater Mississippi, Joel (Linda) Williamson, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Jessie Donald, Saginaw, Michigan; along with other relatives and friends including special friends, Curtis Riggins, Al (Gloria) Napier, Audrey Springfield, John Hall, 3 +3 Ballroom Dancers, Deacon Turner, Roy Stewart, and James (Buddy) Cook.

Cleve was preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland Williamson Sr. and Ethel (James) Shipp; two brothers, Fred W. (Annie Mae) Williamson, Leon Shipp; 4 sisters, Annie Bee (Willie) Anderson) Mary Pearl Burton, Willie Jean (Willie Lee) Farmer, Addie Mae Donald; grandson, Jimario Williams; great-grandson, MyDonis Cosby; son-in-law, Jerome Baber; brothers-in-law, Barron Larry Newsome, Adel Newsome, and Kenneth Newsome.

The family would like to express special thanks to Covenant Medical Center Cooper 6th Floor Staff, Heartland Hospice Care, Nurse Shelby, Ivan E. Phillips and Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.