Cleo Rosella (Mullis) Cloninger "Boots"

Cleo “Boots” Rosella Mullis Cloninger, 93, passed away on November 28, 2017, at her son Rusty’s home. Boots lived life joyfully, sharing her smile, laughter, and love with everyone, but she took special joy in children. As the oldest of 6, she cared for her younger siblings, then delighted in her own 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 12 great-grands.  Boots met and married Bob Cloninger while working at Union Carbide in Charlotte, where she worked for 30 years before retiring. She loved to travel, and as a devoted member of First United Methodist Church, Stanley, went on several mission trips. She also served in the Methodist Women’s group, and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the American Legion.  Cruelly, Alzheimer’s first began to steal her beautiful memories in 1999, but her sweet smile, especially for children, remained.  Loved ones left to hold her memories for her are her husband of 62 years, Bob, and her children, Brenda Smith, Robby Robinson (Ginger), and Rusty Cloninger (MaryLynne), the 19 younger leaves on her tree, plus many nieces and nephews that adored their Aunt Boots. Among those there to greet her in heaven were her parents, Arthur and Thelma Mullis, and all of her siblings: Maureen Reavis, Gloria Estridge, Carol Jones, and William and Joe Mullis, as well as Brenda’s husband, Bill Smith, and their infant daughter, Susan.  The service will be Friday, December 1, at 2:00 pm at FUMC, Stanley, with Rev. Noel Sweezy, and her nephew, Rev. Sonny Reavis. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:45 prior to the service, and interment following at Hillcrest Gardens. Memorials may be made to FUMC, Stanley, Building Fund, 217 N Main St, Stanley, NC  28164; or to Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC  28054.  Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mt. Holly, is serving the family.

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