Mary Dillehay

Mary Clio Dillehay (Cherry) was born on April 26, 1917 in Whitleyville, Jackson County, Tennessee. She was the middle child, the last surviving sibling of the seven children of Lansby C. Cherry and Clarice Carnahan Cherry. Mary Clio passed away August 19, 2015 at Prestige Assisted Living (memory care), Sierra Vista, AZ.

In 2000 she was proceeded in death by her husband of 61 years Clarence Edward Dillehay. Also proceeded in death by her brothers Otis, Odell and Taylor and sisters Gladys, Lilly and Moline.

Surviving is a daughter, Sandra Bates of Sierra Vista, AZ, a son, Larry E. Dillehay (Jane) of Crofton, MD, grandchildren, Amy Bates, Kathryn Ellinwood (Chris), Matthew Dillehey (Karyn), and Andrew Dillehay, and great-granddaughter Avery Dillehay.

Clio grew up in rural Tennessee and lost both parents before the age of 16. She worked hard and valued family, education, her church, and friends. Clio and Clarence met through their church, married and came to California in the spring of 1941. She recalled the scent of citrus blossoms when they arrived. They bought a home and Clio was employed as a seamstress at Glen Robin Sportswear while Clarence worked for the Gas Company. After 25 years at Glen Robin, she was employed at Ventura County Medical Center until retirement in 1985.

A longtime member of Grace Baptist Church (formerly First Southern Baptist) she taught Sunday school for many years.

Since 2008, she lived near her daughter and granddaughter in Arizona.

Services will be held 11 am on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, California. Graveside services will be private. Interment will be Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, California.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Jensen’s Sierra Vista Mortuary, AZ and Charles Carroll Funeral Home CA.