Cleophus B. Wimbley

Cleophus Bell Wimbley Mrs. D! 12/5/1933 – 12/3/2022 Now let me tell my own story! On December 3, 2022, Mrs. Cleophus Bell Wimbley was called home after a short illness. Mrs. Wimbley was born to Ezekiel Wimbley and Hattie Sanberry-Wimbley on a plantation in Blindseoville, Arkansas. She was raised by her step-mother Nattie Wimbley whom she loved and adored. In 1941, at the age of eight, Cleo decided she was not going to pick another piece of cotton. So she put God first and became the captain of her own ship. Cleo knew as long as she had the Lord on her side anything was possible. On July 2, 1952, Cleo moved to Newark, Ohio where she became Mrs. D! Mrs. D found a best friend, a brother, and a protector in Donald E. Morrow, Sr., whom she named Doc! Dr. Love. Their friendship was unbreakable. In 1958 Mrs. D received her G.E.D. and advanced her education over the years by attending cosmetology school, and taking nursing and computer classes. Mrs. D was a part of several organizations including Grass Roots. She was a smart business woman and was the founder of the Chicken Shack. Now, down at the Chicken Shack you could order the daily special. You could order a nice leg and thigh, with your leg and thigh, for about $125.00…if you get my drift. Well, after a few small run-ins with the law, Mrs. D closed the Chicken Shack and laid low in Chicago, Illinois for awhile. She later returned to Newark and reopened the Chicken Shack under a new name known as Cleo’s Place which was located down on 64 Webb Street in Newark. Mrs. D worked several different careers – some in the healthcare field, cleaning, raising children, factory work and restaurants. Mrs. D loved children and people from all walks of life. She finally stopped working in February 2022 because she said she was "getting old". Mrs. D enjoyed traveling, the casino, playing the lottery, and spending time with her family and friends. Mrs. D is preceded in death by her parents, Ezekiel Wimbley and Hattie Stanberry-Wimbley; step-mother, Nattie Wimbley; brothers, H.B. Wimbley, Ezekiel Wimbley, Jr., and Howard Wimbley; sisters, Fletcher Beatrice Wimbley-Lewis Lane and Priscilla Wimbley Porter; and two husbands, Joseph C. and Burdell Patton; and several friends. Mrs. D created her own family and is survived by her Arkansas, California, Chicago, and New York families, Donald E. Morrow, Sr. (Aliscia) of Newark; daughter, Tanisha Morrow (Donald); six grandchildren, Domenique, Arkeil, Donald III, Timzania, Timothy, and Joyceful, all of New York; God Children, Debra Mathew of California, James Morrow and Sparkle Hill, both of Newark; and a host of family and friends. “The Bible said they called the young because they are strong; and they called on to the old because they know the way!” Thank you Lord God! Mrs. Cleophus Bell Wimbley aka Mrs. D. Friends may call from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, December 9th, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street, in Newark, where a memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Wilson officiating.