Cleone Willingham was the first child born to Thomas Jefferson and Ola Williams White, who lived in a farmhouse owned by her maternal grandparents, Jim and Tealie Williams, between Stamford and New Hope, Texas, on July 8, 1915. Cleone enjoyed her time growing up on various farms and liked to recount stories of having a pet wolf, riding horses and picking cotton with her younger brother Burney, learning to can produce raised on their farm while listening to mother Ola's unique original stories, and camping and fishing with father Tom. In 1931, Cleone's youngest brother Mont was born, and the family was completed. Cleone always valued education. She began her public school career at Wilsonville Elementary, ending by graduating as Valedictorian from Stamford High School in 1933. In 1937 Cleone graduated cum laude from then Abilene Christian College with a double major in English and business administration. While attending ACC she enjoyed being a member of the Alpha Chi sorority, Acapella, the Worthy Woman's Club and the ACC debate team. Possessing a determined work ethic, Cleone began career life teaching business and English-related courses at Avoca High School, Grand Falls High School and eventually Gustine High School. In 1937, while teaching, she also started and ran her own business, Willingham Tailoring Company, which remained active until Cleone retired at the seasoned age of 94. After moving to Gustine, Cleone married handsome young banker Idos Cleburne Willingham on July 20, 1943. They remained together until Cleburne's demise in 1986. The two shared a great interest in traveling together. Before their adventures came to an end, the couple had touched soil on every continent. After retirement, Cleone came to Abilene, Texas, to be nearer to family where she remained until her death on the afternoon of Friday, February 26, 2016, at the inspiring age of 100. Cleone was preceded in death by her husband, father, mother and two brothers. She is survived by nephews Eric White of Abilene, Texas, Dewayne White of Jacksboro, Texas, Shane White of Austin, Texas and Tom White of Abilene, Texas and nieces Vickie Coates of Dallas, Texas and Laura Cramer of Dobbin, Texas, and many grand and great nieces and nephews. Graveside Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 in Evergreen Cemetery, Gustine, Texas under the direction of North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Big Country, Abilene, Texas. Online condolences can be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com