Wilbert L. Pulliam Jr.

On July 6, 1940, Wilbert Lewis Pulliam, Jr., was born to the late Wilbert Louis Pulliam, Sr. and the late Agnes Georgianna Deaver Pulliam in Baltimore City, Maryland. Wilbert Jr., affectionately known to everyone as Cleedy, was the oldest of eight children. His brother Eric Vincent Pulliam preceded him in death. Cleedy was baptized at St. Francis Xavier Church, reared in the Catholic faith, received the sacraments, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier, Christ the King, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Churches. Cleedy was educated in the Baltimore County public school system, in the Turners Station community where he was raised. He attended Fleming Elementary, Bragg Elementary, and Sollers Point Jr., Sr. High schools. It was in elementary school where teachers recognized that he was gifted and wanted to advance him ahead to the next grade level. It was also in elementary school that Cleedy discovered his love of the violin, for which he was a quick learner and well accomplished. Upon graduating from high school in 1958, Cleedy entered the United States Army where he wsas a driver for the Colonel of the Headquarters Battery at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Cleedy received a commendation for his excellent driving. This inspired Cleedy to become a truck driver. He began his truck driving career driving a box truck for Morton Shank Cleaners in Turners Station. He later moved on to driving a delivery truck for the United Parcel Service (UPS). At UPS, Cleedy was promoted to the position of driving their 18-wheeler tractor trailer. Creedy drove for UPS until retirement and was a long-time member of the Teamsters Union. Cleedy was the recipient of numerous awards and certificates of recognition for safe driving and is on the UPS Hall of Fame Wall for his exemplary driving. Although Cleedy loved driving trucks, he also loved his cars. He was so proud when he purchased a 1962 Chevy with a Power Glide transmission. This was the first Chevy to be issued with this type of engine and this is what fascinated Cleedy about the car. On August 10, 1968 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cleedy married Joyce Lorraine Newell. From this union a son, Wilbert Lewis Pulliam, III was born. Cleedy was a devoted husband and father who gave wise counsel to his son in an open-minded and supportive way. Cleedy was talented in many ways. As a child, he was an artist and loved to draw cars, trains, and yes, trucks. As an adult, Cleedy was a culinary enthusiast who was not hesitant to use many spices and to cook food in many ways. He used cooking gadgets modified for the microwave, George Foreman Grills, specialty pots and pans, etc. He was always buying some new cooking gadget that he had seen on television and unlike many people, he actually used them. Years ago, to our knowledge, he was one of the first to use Old Bay Seasoning on chicken and not just seafood. Cleedy also showed great talent in using the newest technological gadgets and trends, whether with cooking, cell phones, music, etc. Cleedy kept up with the latest news events, whether local, , national or global. He was outspoken about politics and openly shared his opinions. He would talk with you in depth and with great wisdom-of thought with events that were happening around the world. Cleedy was also an avid jazz lover and had a huge collection of albums. During the 1950's, Cleedy won the TV Time Popcorn contest to name a cocker spaniel that would be the prize, along with an English Racer bike. Cleedy named the dog "Poco". He took the "Po" from pop and the "co" from corn in the word popcorn. He accepted the prizes of the dog and the bike on television. Cleedy loved his family, friends and people in general. He had a zest for life that was noticed by everyone who met him. He was truly a "family person", who while during his illness, routinely contacted many members of the family to stay in-touch. He also made sure his son knew his family. After his passing, many family members mentioned that they had recently spoken to Cleedy and that he always had something funny to say and left them with "his pearls of wisdom." Cleedy completed his earthly journey and passed lovingly to he arms of our Lord on January 6, 2016. He leaves to cherish his memory: one son, Wilbert Lewis Pulliam, III, former spouse, Joyce Pulliam, daughter-in-law, Tonya Shilkins-Pulliam; god-daughter, Chauna Morris; two brothers, Gary Pulliam and Kenneth Pulliam, Sr.; four sisters, Milena Wilson, Lisa Cullings, Deborah Curry, and Mary Pulliam; 3 brothers-in-law, Leon Wilson, Sr., John Cullings, Sr. and Larry Newell; 3 sisters-in-law, Vaugn Hutchinson-Pulliam, Barbara Pulliam and Marion Turner; one aunt, Lillian Dorkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Wilbert L. Pulliam Jr.

July 6, 1940 - January 6, 2016