Sara R Cleveland

Sara Ruth Cleveland passed away on May, 22nd 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Cleveland, parents Robert and Margarete Green, and brother George Green.

Sara was born in East Chicago, Indiana in 1942, but spent most her childhood in Casa Grande, Arizona. After graduating high school, she went to Simpson Bible College to learn Spanish. While she attended college, she met her future husband Robert Cleveland through a mutual friend. They were married June 4th, 1962. They had two daughters named Deborah (Debbie) on May 7th, 1965 and Laura (Laurie) on March 23rd, 1967.
She is survived by Debbie Park and husband Mark of Vancouver WA; Laurie Rippetoe and her husband Dean; grandchildren Lauren Rippetoe and her fiancé Daniel Reiter, Jordan Rippetoe and his wife Katie, Josiah Rippetoe, and Rebekah Henderson and her husband Dean; and many nieces and nephews.

While babysitting a child named Isaac Hunt, who had Cerebral Palsy, she developed a love for special needs children. Because of this, she went to the University of Central Oklahoma and received a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education. After college, she taught special needs students at Westside Elementary and Cleveland Bailey Elementary School.

Her teaching didn’t stop in the classroom. She enjoyed helping her daughter homeschool her grandchildren while also serving in the children’s ministry at church. She helped so many children come to know and grow in the Lord through Sunday School, Backyard Bible Club, Vacation Bible School, and WhizKids.

She will be missed by her daughters, grandchildren, and every child she helped teach along the way.

In lieu of flowers we are asking that you give to Matt and Kiara Cousins at:

http://www.wycliffe.org/partner/yourcousins


Written by her grandson, who misses their weekly meetings very much,
Jordan Rippetoe