January 30, 1941 – August 7, 2025
Penellope Sue McPhail Cleveland, “Penny”, left us to be with her Lord on Aug 7th, 2025, at the age of 84.
Penny was born on Jan 30, 1941, in Grand Saline, Texas to the late Albert and Agnes McPhail. Graduating from Highland Park in Dallas, Penny left home to pursue her undergraduate degree at SMU where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She then received her master’s degree from LSU.
Penny married John M. Cleveland, Sr. on Oct 14, 1967, and moved to Galveston where she worked at UTMB as a social worker. Penny left her job after 4 years to raise their two boys, John M. Cleveland, Jr. and Stephen C. Cleveland. When Penny wasn’t chasing her boys, she developed a passion for tole painting.
The family moved to Friendswood, Texas in 1975 where she resided for over 50 years. She became active in the Friendswood Methodist Church serving as Director for Mother’s Day Out, wedding coordinator, chairman of the church bazaar, participated in the special committee to furnish the new sanctuary and helped create the church cookbook.
Though she had many titles and focuses, her most treasured was that of being a Mimi to Reaghan, her only granddaughter.
Even though Penny was an only child, she had many close cousins and friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents and her closest cousin, Ferndale Sullins, who was like a big sister to her.
Penny is survived by her best friend and husband of 57 years, John M. Cleveland, Sr, her sons John and Stephen, granddaughter Reaghan and many friends.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Saturday, August 16th, 2025, from 5pm-7pm at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, Texas 77546.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 18th, 2025, at 10am at Friendswood Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 with Rev. Jim Bass officiating. Burial will be followed at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
A reception will be held immediately following the burial at Friendswood Methodist Church in Wesley Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family request to make a donation in Penny’s memory to www.als.org
2 thoughts on “Penellope Sue McPhail Cleveland”
I’m so sorry to hear of Mrs. Cleveland’s passing. She was a lovely lady, and a good friend of my mother.
Penny was my Gamma Phi Beta “big sister” at SMU. She was such a good friend, and helped me adjust to college life and being away from home. I loved our conversations, laughing together, and sharing sorority experiences.