Cleo Stocker

Cleo's father worked at the sawmill-lumberyard and her mother was a homemaker. Cleo was the youngest of five children; Three brothers and one sister. Growing up Cleo attended a church-house school in Macedonia, Oklahoma until fifth grade. Cleo worked as a cook and a dishwasher before she moved to California in 1942. She had one son, Claydell Butts, who passed away at the an early age. She has one grandson, Sterling Butts, and two great-granddaughters, Lexi age 17 and Michaela age 11. After moving to West Fresno, California, Cleo continued bussing tables, she also worked the steam table, Grill and numerous field jobs; cutting cotton and cutting grapes. Cleo was promoted to cashier at Woolworths on the Fulton Mall. She was the first African American women to work in the Fulton Mall store. Historically, Woolworth's lunch counter later became the setting for the 1960's Greensboro, North Carolina sit-ins during The Civil Rights movement. Woolworths later became the worlds largest department store chain in 1979. Sister Cleo has worked at Veterans Hospital in the canteen from there to grants were due to physical injury. She retired in 1955. Her long time friend, Miss. Betty, a China Town café owner, has knowledge of Cleo's journey here in Fresno. Miss. Lett would stop in to dine and visit with Cleo at the food counter. These encounters (no pun intended) occurred before Ringling brothers was found in 1907 and Barnum Bailey Circus came through the Fulton Mall. Because she loves God and people sis Cleo Stocker has touched many lives. Her other secret to long Gevity and good health is 8oz of Olivera juice/apple juice three times daily. All her life, Cleo continued to work hard. She sacrificed her time taking care of her mother. She bought her first home in 1972. Her hospitality far out weighs her pride in home ownership. Cleo's hobbies and passion includes reading stories at bed time and non fiction black history, particularly about Negro slavery and poems, cooking, gardening and traveling. Cleo also enjoyed story telling and show-and-tell. She loved wearing beautiful church hats with her Sunday-go-to meeting dresses and suits. Cleo's stellar support of our US Veterans, goes beyond being awarded bronze leader in California 2014. She has received many certificates of service from legislators, various organizations like American Cancer Society and VFW Post 8900, just to name a few. It's no wonder that her son, Claydell served in the Korean War. Patriotically inclined, Cleo proudly worked on the Democratic Party campaign for years. Every Sunday morning, whenever she is able to attend Bible Class and worship service, you will find sister Stocker singing hymns and praising the Lord, the word petitioning prayer request, sharing testimonials and words of wisdom, partaking in the communion and saying amen to sound gospel preaching. With much gratitude, she and the members of her congregation North Avenue Church of Christ, where she reads poetry at the first Sunday fellowships and black history programs.

Sister Cleo Stocker, congratulations on 100 hundred years of life in service. God bless you!