Margaret Cleek

Margaret Maness Cleek, 92, of Kingsport passed away ­on April 14, 2020 at Life Care of Gray. She was born in Buffalo, SC and moved to Kingsport when an infant with her parents. Margaret was a graduate of Dobyns –Bennett High School, Class of 1946. She received a BS degree and a MA degree from East Tennessee State University. She taught at George Washington Elementary School for 28 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church and the Esther Sunday School Class. She was a member of Kingsport Retired Teachers Association. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Sam Cleek; parents, Conley O. and Pearl Roberts Maness; sisters, Deloris Ann Maness Roark and Christine Maness Stapleton; brothers, Omar Conley Maness and Michael Wayne Maness. She is survived by a son, Stephen Cleek; a daughter and her husband Cathy and Stephen Taylor; a granddaughter Rebecca Cleek; four great-granddaughters, Catherine Purkey, Kristina Engle, Cassandra Hernandez and Katelyn Shumate; great-grandson, Jamie Lee Shumate, Jr. and two great-great grandsons, Paul Engle II and Daniel Isaac Purkey; sister, Rowena Daugherty; sister-in-law, Jo Cleek; along with several nieces and nephews. Due to the current restrictions for Covid-19 a private graveside will be conducted at East Lawn Memorial Park with Dr. Marvin Cameron presiding. The family is remembering her for her love of family and care and concern for all children. She wanted all children to have a happy home and opportunity for a good life. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 West Church Circle, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660 or to the Kingsport Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund, 400 Clinchfield Street, Suite 200, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Administrative and Patient Care Staff at Life Care of Gray, Dr. Michael Kauzlarich and staff, Dr. Andrew Hagen and staff, and special friend Linda Lewis for their loving care. Carter-Trent Funeral Home downtown, Kingsport is serving the Cleek family.