Brother Cleveland Taylor Bey I

Brother Cleveland T. Bey, I departed this life peacefully in his home with his loving wife of 56 years, Sister Blanche T. Bey, at his side on February 26, 2024. He was born April 16, 1947, to Cleveland Johnson and Beatrice Sykes in St. Stephens Church, VA, but was adopted by James and Betty Jane Taylor at an early age and raised in Walkerton, VA. He was the apple of their eye, and they lovingly called him “Kickey Poo.” Brother Cleveland and Sister Blanche both attended Central High School in upper King & Queen County where they became high school sweethearts when she was a 15-year-old sophomore and he a 17-year-old senior. When Sister Blanche turned 17, they decided to get married as soon as she graduated, and so they did. On June 24, 1967, the same wedding day as her parents, they were married by one of their teachers, Reverend Washington T. Henry. From this union they bore three handsome, healthy sons; Cleveland II (Nick), Ronald Vincent, and Maurice Germaine. Brother Cleveland united in the Moorish Science Temple of America December 1972 and proclaimed his true name, Bey, Religion, Islamism and true nationality of our ancient forefathers, Moorish. Sister Blanche and their children did the same in January 1973. He was inducted into the Adept Chamber of Temple No. 6 in 1976 and served as Assistant Teacher for a short t ime. He was a faithful and active member of the Moorish Science Temple of America until his health began to fail. Brother Cleveland was an over-the-road truck driver for years and often took his sons with him. Their Mother later found out that once - while he took a quick nap - he put Ronald, at 14 years old, behind the wheel. She had a fit, but Brother Cleveland was a true Aries who welcomed challenges and adventure. He took a pause from trucking for about 10 years when he and Sister Blanche joined their son, Maurice, in South Carolina where they both became Kirby Vacuum Distributors. Brother Cleveland was very athletic and excelled in basketball and baseball and was known as one of the best left-handed pitchers in the local area. Every weekend Sister Blanche knew she and the boys would be at some baseball field watching him on the mound. He was great at shooting pool; and if there was a pool table around, that’s where he would be. Later, he bought a motorcycle and then a race car and was at the racetrack almost every weekend with his little Opal car doing burn outs while our son, Nick, helped guide him up to the line. Then Nick got the fever and bought a race car, and now they’ve passed the fever on to his son, Myles. As you can see, Brother Cleveland loved and lived a full life. He loved everyone and could carry on a conversation with anyone. Sister Blanche would often ask him how he found out so much about a person in such a short time. Preceding him in passing were his parents, James and Betty Jane Taylor; birth parents, Cleveland Johnson and Beatrice Sykes; brother, Stanley Garlick; grandson, Maurice Aveon, (Lil Mo), who was so dear to all of us. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Blanche; three sons who he was so proud of, Cleveland (Nick), Ronald, and Maurice (Yasmeen); nine grandchildren, Josh (Shawnda), Myles, Sacara, Taylor, Teonna, Yashaya, Kyla, Kyle, and Maurice Koran; one great granddaughter, Aaliyah; two Sisters Delaine and Sheila (Dwight); two brothers, Prentiss (Aretha) and Robert (Diane); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law, friends, and members around the Circle of the Moorish Science Temple of America. A service will be 1PM Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140. A viewing will be held 2 hours prior to services. Interment will be private.

Brother Cleveland Taylor Bey I

April 16, 1947 - February 26, 2024