Service: 2 o'clock, Tuesday, February 16, 2016 Place: Lithonia Chapel of Henry Funeral Home Visitation: 12:30 - 2, Tuesday Place: Henry Funeral Home, Lithonia Gwendolyn Haygood Cleland, age 86, of Lithonia, died Sunday, February 14, 2016. Born January 17, 1930, in Atlanta, GA, to James Ealie Haygood and Vera Merritt Haygood Kent, she was a graduate from the first Senior Class of Murphy High School, Atlanta, GA and Draughon's Business College , Atlanta, GA. Gwen also was a student of the Boston Music Academy, specializing in voice education. She worked one year as a private secretary before marrying and moving to Columbus, Georgia. She then lived in Nashville, TN, then North Augusta SC, before moving back to Atlanta. A faithful and loving member of her church home, First Baptist Church of Lithonia, Gwen was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class and a member of the choir. Mrs. Cleland was highly skilled in ceramics, sewing, cooking and gardening. She and her husband, Harold, loved to travel and spent many vacations with family and friends. They enjoyed great times at their vacation home in the mountain community of Blairsville, GA. Her priorities in life were her family, faith and friends. A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Gwen was a witness for many. She lived her Christian life fully and with joy. Gwen was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Wauno Haygood Wells; step-sister, Margaret Ethel Kent; and her loving husband of 46 years, Harold Thomas Cleland. Surviving are her children, daughter and son-in-law, Cathy Cleland Johnson and Al Johnson; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl (Sherry) Cleland Groover and Rick Groover; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffery Keith Cleland and Cathy (Casey) Cleland; grandchildren, Christina (Christy) and Jeff Abbott, Taylor and Stephani Cleland, Aaron and Heather Cleland, and Genesis Ford; great grandchildren, Austin Abbott, Alexander Abbott and Kamryn Cleland; several sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 2 o'clock, Tuesday, February 16, in the Lithonia chapel of Henry Funeral Home, with Dr. Jim Martin and Rev. Gearl Spicer officiating. These gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Rick Groover, Jeff Abbott, Taylor Cleland, Aaron Cleland, Austin Abbott, and Alex Abbott. Interment will follow at Hillandale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Lithonia, P.O. Box 378, Lithonia, GA 30058. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00 prior to the service time at Henry Funeral Home, Lithonia, 770-482-4411, henryfuneral.com