May 23, 1933 - June 16, 2021
Cleaver (Vaughn) Lunsford entered Heaven on June 16, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born near Dutch Creek in Scott County, AR on May 23, 1933 to Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Vaughn and Susie (Vaughn) Vaughn Avery. She grew up on a family farm and as a young woman married Harold Lloyd Lunsford on July 1, 1950. She soon had two daughters and her young family relocated to Oklahoma, ultimately moving to Enid in 1963 where she began working at the Enid State School. She worked there as a cook for over 30 years until her retirement making many friends among her co-workers.
Cleaver was a lifelong Christian and a woman of great faith. She was committed to praying for others, reading the Bible and seeking an ever-closer relationship with God. She encouraged others in their Christian walk and openly shared her faith. She cared for others more than herself and did all she could to help those in need around her. She sacrificed her own comfort to give comfort to others. She leaves behind a great legacy of generosity toward the many friends and family she touched with her kindness over the years. She exemplified selfless love.
Being raised on a farm, Cleaver had true passion for gardening. She always kept big gardens and flower beds and her family cherishes the memories of working beside her as she pursued her favorite activity. Even in the final days of her illness, she could be found outdoors tending to her vegetables and flowers. She got great enjoyment from growing strawberries for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren every year. She also enjoyed building collections of snow globes, angels, dolls and many other things that she displayed proudly throughout her home.
Cleaver will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. No matter what happened, she was always there for those she loved. For the children, she made it special to spend time with her by telling old stories and fairy tales, making cookies, scrapbooking and giving lessons on quilting, crocheting and sewing. She gave the most precious gifts such as quilts, baby blankets and scarves skillfully made by her loving hands. She was often her family's babysitter and preschool teacher, preparing the little ones for life by sharing her knowledge and values and nurturing them in the way only she could. She enjoyed retelling the stories of their times together and watching them grow. She loved each member of her family dearly just as they all loved her. She will be deeply missed but her presence in the hearts of those that knew her will never fade away.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Sallie Edna (Vaughn) Parker and two great-grandchildren, Saxxon Cunningham and Elias Cunningham.
Cleaver is survived by daughters, Patricia (Thom) Cunningham of Rogers, AR; Priscilla (Dan) Bell of Enid; eight grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson as well as her beloved nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be 10:00am Monday, June 21, 2021 in the Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home. Viewing will be 8:00am-8:00pm today at the funeral home.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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