Velmon "Cleo" Yancey

Velmon "Cleo" Yancey, of Steelville, MO, was born on Wednesday, August 31, 1927 in Brockwell, AR to Almon C. Yancey and Eunice Yancey, nee Peirson.  He passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his family, at the age of 95 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Cleo graduated from Oxford High School in Arkansas with the Class of 1946 and later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from College of the Ozarks.  He served our country honorably in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  He married the love of his life, Jo Ann Brown, on December 6, 1963 in Oxford, AR and to this union they raised 6 children.  They moved to Steelville after getting the job to be a science and chemistry teacher at the Steelville R-3 School District, where he worked from 1965 - 1979.  He taught a total of 20 years in education and was an inspiration to many.  He later worked as a chemist in a state lab in Jefferson City, MO for 12 years.  He had accepted the Lord as his personal Savior while he was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Brockwell, AR.  After moving to Steelville, he attended Center Point Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Cuba.  He was a member of the Missouri State Teacher’s Association.   In his spare time, Cleo enjoyed hunting, fishing and shopping for antiques .  He liked to play and restore fiddles, to collect Native American Relics and to make arrowheads as well.  He owned his own business in Steelville, “Poverty Hill”, which was a souvenir shop with pottery, fireworks and all odds and ends.  Most of all, Cleo loved his family.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents Almon and Eunice Yancey; parents-in-law William “Edd” and Mary Izora Brown; wife Jo Ann Yancey; brothers Morris (Juanice) Yancey and Thearl Yancey; brothers-in-law Drexal (Ruby) Brown, Glenn Brown, Herbert Moss, Bill Merwin and Lee Watson; daughter-in-law Connie Boyer Brown.

Cleo is survived by his children Melissa Brown of Raleigh, NC, Charles Kenneth (Lori) Brown of Bryant, AR, Tina (Daniel) Brinkley, Terri (Rick) Livesay, Tammy Livesay (Mike Hutson) and Taleta “Tiki” Diaz all of Steelville, MO; brothers-in-law Bill (Mary Sue) Brown of Beebe, AR, Norman (Barbara) Brown of Greenbriar, AR, Anthony (Sharilu) Brown of Centerton, AR and Larry (Donna) Brown of Salem, AR; sisters-in-law Lola Brown of Camino, CA, Ima Moss of Oxford, AR, Johniece Merwin of Littleton, CO, Sharon Watson of Melbourne, AR, and Linda Hutchins of Hot Springs, AR; grandchildren Gianna Laino, Shane Boyer, Shannon Boyer, Joshua Brown, Logan Aaron, Darren Brinkley, Devon Lunsford, Reanna (Aaron) King, Tayler (Adam) Volner, Kylee Livesay, Randi Livesay, Clayton Hutson, Haleigh (Kyle) Hofstetter and Michael Diaz (companion Megan); great grandchildren Kameran Brinkley, Audrina Quiroz, Kendall Brinkley, Addison Boyer, Cannen Boyer, Morgan Murry, Jordan Boyer, Brody, Briley and Briar Lunsford, Myles King, Jett Volner and Hadlie James Hofstetter; nephew Gary Yancey; other nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. 

Visitation was from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.  Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Hutson Funeral Home Steelville, MO with Rev. Spencer Hutson officiating.  Burial was at Steelville Cemetery with full military honors.  Memorials were suggested to Rusty's Rescue Pets (PO Box 8960 Springfield, MO 65801) or Santana's Hope 4 Paws (93 Czar Tower Rd  Steelville, MO 65565).
 

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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