She grew up in Houston and attended Christ the King Elementary School, St. Agnes Academy and the University of Houston. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 and her Master of Arts degree in 1949. While a student at the University of Houston, she was Vice-President of the Student Council, President of the French Club and assistant organizer of an honor society.
Cleo’s teaching career began in 1948 as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Houston. She taught high school English in Victoria before coming to Alvin in 1951. Her teaching career with Alvin Independent School District began at Alvin Junior High with eighth grade English. In 1958, Cleo began teaching eleventh grade English at Alvin High School. In 1964, she moved to Alvin Junior College to teach freshman English. Her years at ACC were filled with faculty responsibilities as well as working with students in extracurricular activities.
Cleo was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, a life-member of the Texas State Teachers Association, a member of the Delta Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, the Alvin Museum Society and several organizations for stamp collectors.
Since retirement in 1986, Cleo delivered Meals on Wheels many years. Much of her retirement was spent working with and for the Alvin Museum Society to establish an Alvin Historical Museum for the citizens of Alvin and the surrounding area. She enjoyed her stamp collection, specializing in French literature on stamps, and traveling in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Her constant joy was sharing time with her family, watching them grow, participating in their endeavors and loving three generations.
Preceding her in death are her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, John and Helen Stallworth, and her brother, Joseph A. Congrady, Jr.
Cleo is survived by her nephew, John Raymond Stallworth and his wife, Dana, their sons, Stephen Stallworth and Greg Stallworth, her nephew Darrell Lane Stallworth and his wife, Kathleen, and their children, Christian Stallworth, M.D. (Jenny), Nathan Stallworth (Amber), Kyle Stallworth, Taylor Wheeler (Jordan), five great-great nephews, three great-great nieces and family friend Bobbie Case.
She leaves behind other family members and numerous friends with whom she shared treasured time.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 110 East South Street, Alvin, Texas 77511. The family will receive friends in the church one hour prior to Mass on Thursday, June 5, 2014 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 3502 North Main Street, Houston, Texas 77009.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the Alvin Historical Museum, P.O. Box 1902, Alvin, Texas 77512 or to St. Agnes Academy, 9000 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77036.
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