Cleave Bethea, Sr.

Legacy of Love Cleave Edward Bethea, Sr. was born on September 21, 1941, at Harlem Hospital in Harlem, NY to the late James W. Bethea and Inez S. Baugh, the youngest of four siblings. He is preceded in death by his two sisters Thelma Lewis and Shirley Cuffee. Cleave accepted Christ at an early age at a catholic church/school in Harlem, NY. He also attended Flushing High School in Queens where he was selected as All City Quarterback for the City of New York. He received his associate degree in criminal justice from Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York. Cleave Bethea is married to the former Earline Turner whom he met in 1958 while attending a dance. The marriage took place on November 9, 1960, in Baltimore, MD. Their union was blessed with 3 children: Cleave Jr., Stacey, and Kelly. On June 23, 1960, Cleave was inducted into the United States Army where he worked in Intelligence at Fort George G. Meade in MD. He served his country proudly and received his Honorable discharge on June 21, 1963. On July 1, 1963, he joined The New York City Police Department and was promoted to Detective on October 4, 1966. He retired on March 23, 1977 as a Detective with NY City Police Department due to incurable injuries incurred on the job. With diversity and challenges it did not deter him from raising his family. His organizations included: Police Benevolent Association (PBA), Detectives Endowment Association (DEA), and The Guardians. Cleave had several interests like fishing, hunting, making hand-crafted dream catchers (for family/friends), as well as being a jokester to make people laugh. Even with his walking disabilities his determination to survive was upfront during a hunting trip against a black bear, and lets just say, the bear rug was warm. Cleave always faced his challenges from the start and did the best he could do. Cleave leaves to cherish his memory, a loving wife Earline; two sons, Stacey, and Cleave, Jr., (Regina); daughter, Kelly; adored grandson, Cleave III; brother, James Bethea (Rose); brother-in-law, Edward Turner (Terri); nieces, Louise, Renae, Tawana, Donna, and Tori; nephews, Tracy, Leslie, Donnie, Jerry and Stacy; a host of other great nieces, nephews and cousins; along with many other loving relatives and caring friends.

Tributes

Cleave Bethea, Sr.

September 21, 1941 - April 26, 2023