Cleo L. Busby

Cleo Lucious Busby, age 62, was born to the union of Bertha and Robert Busby, Sr., on December 28,1955 in Cleveland. He was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on September 1, 2018. Cleo was a graduate of John Hay High School and attended Wilberforce College in Wilberforce Ohio.

Cleo spent a good portion of his adult life working as an advocate for safe, sanitary, reasonably priced, accessible housing through HUD in various roles including the Chair of Cleveland Alliance of HUD Tenants. His work with the Alliance included these notable highlights:

In 2007, and many other years, Cleo provided testimony in Ohio and Washington DC to elected officials on how HUD budget cuts affect the poor and those who live in sub- sidized housing.
In 2005, Cleo served as a presenter at Cleveland State University, Leadership Pro- gram, where he spoke on the topic “Political Savvy.”
In 2002, he, along with others, spearheaded a Tenant Summit which attracted more than 175 tenants, social workers and government officials. The summit was covered widely by Cleveland area media.

Cleo also ran for state political office in 2006 for the position of State Representative Ohio District 11. While he was unsuccessful he did finish fourth in a field of seven can- didates.

Cleo had two nicknames. To his family he was called Mickey and to his friends he was called Buzz. Cleo loved the city of Cleveland. He loved the Browns and the Cavaliers in their good years and bad years. He loved music especially old school R&B and could remember song titles and lyrics from old songs just like they were released yesterday.

Cleo had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He often would leave friends and fam- ily laughing with his jokes and funny comments. He had a pleasing, easy personality and was friendly to acquaintances and strangers alike. He was often teased about how many people he knew. He would shrug and say, “l know some people.”

Cleo knew the Lord having accepted our Lord Jesus Christ when he was as a child. He was baptized at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church here in Cleveland. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert, Sr., his dear mother, Bertha. It is through our Faith, God’s Grace and Mercy that we believe Cleo will be reunited with them in Heaven.

Cleo is survived by his brother Robert Busby, Jr., his sister-in-law Robin Busby, both of Cincinnati; his nephew Brandon Busby (wife Carrie) of Alexandria, Kentucky. He also is survived by four great nephews Brandon, Jr., Thomas, Wesley and Zachary Busby. Other survivors are his beloved first cousins all of Cleveland: Earlene Walker, Barbara Williams, Audrey Whittaker and Arthur Blakey. He is survived by extended family and remembered by many friends. The family would like to give special acknowledgement to his dear friend, Lindy Wheeler, who provided support to him and to us through Cleo’s last days.

Psalm 121

1 I'will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

From The Busby Family:

Thank you to all those who prayed for us, called, texted, sent cards and took time out of your day to pay respect to Cleo. Please continue to lift the family in prayer to sustain us in the days ahead.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cleo L. Busby, please visit our floral store.