Willa Clydene Cullum

It is with sadness that the family of Willa Clydene Dowell Cullum announces her passing on April 14, 2024, in Castro Valley, Alameda, California. Born in Canyon City, Fremont, Colorado, on March 30, 1945 to parents Clyde Dowell of Arkansas and Myrtle Deliah Plant of Oklahoma.

Clydene was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Donald Cullum; father, Clyde Dowell; mother, Myrtle Deliah Plant and her brothers, Albert "AL" and Gary Dowell and sisters in law, Janie Cullum Correia, Robin Cullum Atkerson and brother in law, David Cullum (twin brother to her husband).

Clydene leaves behind her great nephew and niece, Joseph and Shyla Turner- Cullum and nephew, Keith Dowell as well as her brothers in law, Jeffrey Cullum (Beverly), Jonathan Cullum (Diane), Kevin Cullum (Mary Jane) and Patrick Cullum as well as many nephews and nieces whom will miss her.

Clydene lived in Colorado and Arkansas in her early years and then the family moved to California settling in the Modesto area where she attended schools graduating from Modesto High School in 1963. It was during this time that she met and married Donald Cullum at the Maze Boulevard Church in Modesto in 1963. They were married for 56 years when Donald passed away in 2021. They lived in the Bay Area in Hayward most of their married years.

Clydene was known for her quiet manner, kind heart and attention to detail. Clydene worked outside the home for a local doctors office and then for a high end department store in the Bay Area but most of her time was spent as a stay at home wife to Donald where they enjoyed family, the outdoors and animals. They had many pets throughout the years but one of her favorites was Andi, a Yorkshire Terrier.

The family invites those who knew and loved Clydene to join them in a graveside service of remembrance at Lakewood Funeral Home and Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, Stanislaus, California on Monday, April 29 at 10am . Here, we will honor her life and the indelible mark she left on our hearts.

Clydene's legacy is one of love, laughter, and the enduring strength of family. Her memory will be forever treasured by those who were fortunate enough to know her. May she find eternal rest and continue to watch over us with the same love she showed in life.