Cleveland

Joe Wayne Cleveland, 72, of Rockdale died at his home on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

The family will receive visitors at Phillips & Lucky Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 1.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Milam County Cowboy Church, 2100 US 77.

Joe Wayne had been a part of the Rockdale community for 67 years.

He began his school days at Rockdale Elementary School and graduated from Rockdale High School in 1967 with his high school sweetheart.

On Aug. 30, 1969, Joe Wayne married Sarah Erskine and spent the last 51 years and 7 months together in Rockdale.

Joe Wayne was dedicated to a life of service, one act of which was filming the Rockdale Tiger football games for the past 50 years. He was inducted into the Rockdale Tiger Hall of Honor in 2014. Joe Wayne was known as one of Rockdale’s Tigers biggest fans.

During the course of his life, Joe Wayne worked in the potrooms at Alcoa for 33 years, where he became a supervisor and safety coordinator.

After retiring from Alcoa, he spent the last 12 years as a safety director at Perry & Perry Builders.

Joe Wayne was a family man, an avid golfer, a dedicated hunter and he left a legacy for many.

Survivors are his wife, Sarah Cleveland; two sisters, Shirley Leopold, Brenda Barchenger and husband Joe; a brother, Carl Cleveland and wife Donna; his children, Nikki Kirk and husband Joe “Bimbo” of Cameron, Kenny Cleveland and wife Lindsay of Rockdale, Shellea Griner and husband James of Hutto; his grandchildren, Ty Kirk and fiancé Andrea Rey, Jordan Kirk and wife Cierra, Jessa Cleveland, Baileigh Griner, Janey Cleveland, Madilyn Griner, Jamie Griner, Joely Cleveland and Johanna Cleveland; and great-grandchildren Katherine Doris Kirk and one on the way; also, man nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Milam County Cowboy Church or Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department.