Cleland

Leta McCollough Cleland, 99, of Chico, Calif., passed away Saturday.

She was born Sept. 15, 1910, in Chicora to John L. McCollough and Florence Smith McCollough.

Leta graduated from Chicora High School, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a teaching credential from Thiel College in Greenville.

She was a very fashionable and independent young woman and had a passion for literature and bird watching.

In 1943, Leta married William Floyd Cleland and took time off from teaching to raise her family and help her husband run their dairy farm. She taught elementary school for 25 years in Pennsylvania, Arizona and at Hooker Oak Elementary School in Chico.

Leta enjoyed reading, bridge, swimming and interesting conversations.

She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, the Prime Timers, the Friends of the Library, the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association.

Leta is survived by her beloved family: a daughter, Carol Cleland of Lafayette, Colo.; two sons, Donald Cleland of Aptos, Calif., and William Cleland of Orland, Calif.; five grandchildren, Elspeth Wilson, Jennifer Ramirez, Sarah Hammack, James Cleland and Jason Cleland; four great-grandchildren; and many dear friends and relatives.

Leta's husband, William Cleland, preceded her in death in 1974.

<B>CLELAND</B> — A memorial service to celebrate the life of Leta McCollough Cleland, who died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2010, at Faith Lutheran Church, 667 E. First Ave., Chico, Calif.Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be given to Faith Lutheran Church in memory of Leta for the Kagitumba Parish in Rwanda, Africa.Arrangements are under the direction of <B>Affordable Mortuary</B>, Chico, Calif.Send condolences online at www.affordablemortuary.net.