Service Details
Funeral: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 11:00am
Visitation: Tuesday, August 7, 2018 10:00 – 11:00am
Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 40 Ohio St., Racine, Wisconsin
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Racine – Cleopra Lee (Nee: Moore) Allen, affectionately known as Cleo, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 4, 1947, to Mamie Lee Brown and Henry Moore, Sr.. She has three brothers, Henry Moore, Jr., Charles Moore and Jewell Moore and one sister, Joyce Ann Fowlkes (Nee: Moore). Cleo began singing at the age of 4, in Little Rock. At the age of 7, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she would sing at school functions, classes and assemblies, and made her first recording in Chicago at the age of 13.
Cleo was baptized and saved in the Church of God in Christ in Little Rock, Arkansas. After moving to Racine, Wisconsin, she went on to attend Greater Grace Temple Church of God In Christ, United Church of God in Christ, Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church, Faith Community Church and her final church home, Covenant Presbyterian Church.
While living in Chicago, Cleo attended Simeon High School, where she was an Honor Roll student and graduated Salutatorian of her class, receiving numerous academic and music awards. She loved music and thrived in school and was given the opportunity to sing at her graduation and give the Welcome and Commencement Addresses. She later went on to attend Gateway College in Kenosha, where she majored in Human Services.
In 1965, she married Lemont Allen and moved to Racine, Wisconsin. Together they had two children, son, Sheldon Lemar Allen and daughter, Vala Kathleen Claybrook (Nee: Allen). Her love for family emerged and she invited Joyce Ann Patton (Nee: House) into her home and her raised her from the age of 14.
Cleo’s love for music also flourished and she and Lemont joined the Wisconsin Community Choir and were members from 1966 until 1980. Together they traveled with WCC, where she directed, sang, co-wrote, and recorded three albums. Cleo was active and sang in churches most of her life. She sang for assisted living and nursing homes in her latter age, in Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin for many years. Cleo’s talent enabled her to perform in two Gaither Homecoming Shows, and sing in local concerts and choirs. She served as Mistress of Ceremony for AA conventions and Racine Christmas shows at Horlick High School in Racine, Wisconsin.
Cleo also enjoyed being a part of the community and serving others. She worked with teenagers in Racine, Wisconsin, providing them guidance in social and employment skills. Taking that one step further, Cleo was also involved with the Racine County Foster Care Program and fostered two young ladies, and also volunteered for the Kenosha and Racine Salvation Army. From 1969 until 1980, Cleo was a member of the Racine Theatre Guild, where she took pride in being on stage or working behind the scenes. But one of her biggest accomplishments was her sobriety. Cleo was also an ongoing member of AA and thoroughly enjoyed helping others to stay sober. Cleo was blessed to have celebrated 29 years of sobriety on October 4, 2017, something she was highly committed to and very passionate about.
As a career woman, Cleo worked as a Court Clerk at the Racine County Courthouse. She was an Executive Assistant for the City of Racine Housing Authority and Program Assistant with the State of Wisconsin Department of Probation and Parole, where she retired from.
Cleo was a shining star who could light up a room and bring a smile to anyone’s face. Her kind and open heart afforded her many friends and acquaintances. She was very loving, caring, generous, compassionate, and would do for others, often before herself. In addition to her love of the arts, Cleo enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, reading, gardening, cooking, traveling, writing short stories and poems, and politics. She would give of herself and time whenever she could and was very proud to have been involved with the Obama campaign, both terms.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Blanche Brown, mother, Mamie Lee Brown, father, Henry Moore, Sr., and her sister Joyce Ann Fowlkes (nee: Moore).
Cleo leaves to cherish her memory, children: Sheldon Lemar Allen, Vala Kathleen (Donnell) Claybrook of Racine, Wisconsin, Joyce Ann (Tyrone) Patton, of Atlanta, Georgia, three grandchildren: Julian Thomas McKenzie of Kenosha, Wisconsin,, Blake Alexandria Sims of Racine, Wisconsin, and Tyra Nicole Patton of Atlanta, Georgia, brothers: Henry (Sylvia) Moore, Flint, Michigan, Charles (Jeannette) Moore of Chicago, Illinois, and Jewell Moore of Bolingbrook, Illinois, step-mother Pauline Moore, step-sister, Joyce Moore and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Cleopra Lee (nee: Moore) Allen, age 71, passed away on July 30, 2018. A Celebration of Her Life will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 11:00am in Covenant Presbyterian Church, 40 Ohio St., Racine, WI. Visitation will be in the church from 10:00 am until the time of service
Arlene Lawrence, Milwaukee says
I had the grand opportunity to work with Cleo for years with the Wisconsin State chior and the Wisconsin Community Chior in Milwaukee.
She was an excellent chior director that expected excellence.
She gave it and achieved it. She totally impacted my skills as a chior director.
We will keep the family in our prayers
R.I.P Cleo!
Son - law Mr. Tyrone Patton says
Cleopatra was a friend as well as a mother-law to me she made me want to better myself self not only for her daughter Joyce but for what she expected off me and I will always love her for that
Minzelle Kelly,Phoenix Arizona says
I recently had an opportunity to visit with Cleo while visiting relatives in Racine. I met Cleo as a teenager as she developed our choir and singing abilities. I will miss her beautiful smile and her “you can do it spirit”. May God comfort the family during this difficult time.
Aipanya Muhammad says
Aunt Cleo you will be Dearly missed you Are & Were Such and Amazing Woman, Mom, & Nanna we Had Some Wonderful Times with you As Children And Adults The Advice you Always Gave Me. Was well Worth it Regardless if I wanted to Hear it or Accept it. I’m Going Miss you Soo…. Much Rest Auntie No More Suffering God Know’s Best Love, You❤❤❤
Lonnis Allen says
Aunt cleo! You are a child of god, I remember you directing the choir as a child , and how I knew how much you loved the Lord! We lost touch over the years but I feel comfort knowing you got your wings! And have gone “ up the yonder” love you until we meet again , your nephew Lonnis A. Allen, II, Atlanta GA.
Sherry Searcy says
I have so many wonderful memories of Ms.Cleo. She was a very beautiful and smart woman. She always made me and my sister feel like family . I will never forget her. Rest in Heaven Ms Cleo. We love you 💜
Timothy L Johnson says
She was a gifted and beautiful person. I was glad to have known her.
Ron Fort says
Another soldier gone home to rest. Cleopatra used her gifts to the glory of God. She will be missed.
A, Jeffrey LaValley says
One of the founding members of the Wisconsin Community Choir, Cleo was an outstanding vocalist, songwriter and directress. Another unsung gospel heroine. Praying for Minister Henry Moore, Charles Moore, Jewell Moore, her children, friends and family. ‘Til we meet…
Chalestine Moore says
My Aunt was Always a Great listener and she understood me. I will miss our laughs and us singing .
Chalestine Moore says
I will Always Love u and carry on as she would say.:-) I will miss our talks and us singing and laughing. I Love U Auntie:-)
Deborah Gardner says
Vela, you and Blake are in my heart, and my prayers are for your peace and comfort. Rest assured that your mother is in His arms and will be patiently waiting for y’all to join her on that great day. Loving you and Blake always.
Gladis Ward says
Cleopra was very special to me as one of my cousins and a mentor…. I treasure the musical instructions I learned from Cleo under her direction in the Wisconsin Community Choir… She was very helpful in many of my struggles in life. Cleopra was a strong woman. I certainly will miss our talks.
Denise Owens says
Praying God’s strength for the family,
Jewell Moore says
My Sister was a wonderful woman, that endured many trials and tribulations throughout her life. But she also was blessed with many wonderful things; her children, grand children, and numerous other loving friends and family. She was truly blessed with one of the most angelic singing voices I have ever heard. I could listen to her sing all day. In the last several years, Cleo has suffered many health issues, but she remained strong, and never lost faith in God.
She has always been a good listener, and we all know she could talk and hold her own with anyone.
My prayers go out to all of her friends, our family, and her extended family, of which there are many. Vala, Sheldon, Blake and Julian.., stay strong, and know that Cleo will always be with you in spirit, and her love endures.
I love you Sis,
Jewell Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Terry (Doretha) Dansby says
Cleopra Lee Allen,
A true example of Perfection!
During the many years I was in the Wisconsin Community Choir, Cleopra was one of the God Given Choir Directors which gave help in training me to sing and direct.
Her Music skills were definetly God given and will truly be missed!
To the Family of Cleo… Thanks for sharing your Mother, Sister, Grandmother and Special Friend with us!
Praying for the entire Family.
Bishop John A Barton SR says
A gifted voice is silenced. What a privilege to have sang with Cleopra. Her talent will be missed. Praying for the family
Ruth Copeland says
My condolences to the family and friends.
Terry Dansby says
Cleopra Lee Allen “Cleo”
Thanking God for the Great Experience to be able to sing in the Wisconsin Community Choir, under one of the Greatest Choir Directors I know.
I will forever hold the precious memories close in my heart.
Praying for the entire family during this time of transtion.
God Bless!
Joyce Ann Moore says
Going to miss you sister happy for the time we shared and the talks we had love you much.😍😘
Denise Freeman says
Vala, Joyce and Sheldon,
My heart was saddened to hear of the passing of your mother. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things that will happen in your lifetime. Keep her memory and the lessons she taught you close to your heart. Trust and believe God will guide you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ruthie Gilmore says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Thinking back on all your recent encouraging words to me. Never give up on life. It’s ours for the taking.
Ms. La Rita Winston says
After receiving the news of my Godsisters’s passing, it was indeed a hard pill to swallow, after all Cleo had just a little over a month ago sang a my mom’s her God mother’s Mother Mary Tenzy’s wake. We never expect to see our loved ones for the last time when we see them, but the last time I saw Cleo was at this very place. Singing “Total Praise” doing what she was called to do, at least one of her callings. Talking to her at length everytime we spoke she inspired me, with her strong, demanding sisterly advice and don’t give up, give in tone made me say I Love you so much. I met her when I was just a little girl in the mid 60’s her family really became a part of my extended family from Chicago. I have a message you left me encouraging me as you so often did. so encourage your Son, and daughter and Grandchildren, and Your Brothers, Charles, Henry and Jewell to do as I am doing to hold on and take it memory they have of you and smile each day, the special nugget that you gave them to use it when needed. I know you gave each one something to live by, because that’s who you were. Rest now my sister, your work here is over….until then.
With much Love and Total Praise your God Sis, La Rita
Trudy Rivest says
I was Cleo’s supervisor when she worked for the State of Wi. Cleo was my best employee. She was always ready to take on new challenges and did a great job. You were lucky to have her for a member of your family.
Mary Snow says
God needed another angel.