Maria Irena Cleaver, age 88 of Rocky Mount, passed away Monday, April 15, 2013. Maria was born November 18, 1924 in Mechelen, Belgium. She came to America shortly after World War II and often said that one of the proudest days of her life was the day she became a US citizen. Surviving are her husband of 60 years Kenneth Cleaver; daughter Deborah Yutko (Michael) of Rocky Mount, Karen Archer (Brad) of Wirtz; son Christopher Cleaver (fiancée Leslie) of Hudson, NH; five grandchildren Stephanie Cambria, Nicole Cleaver, Michael Yutko, Kristine Cleaver, and Kenneth Cleaver; great- granddaughters Maddelyne Cleaver and Olivia Cambria; daughter-in-law Mary Beth Cleaver. The family respectfully requests no flowers or memorials but asks instead, to perform a random act of kindness in Maria’s memory. Arrangements are private and at Maria’s request, there will be no services. Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home & Crematory, Rt. 220 @ Wirtz Rd., 62 Virginia Market Place Dr., Rocky Mount. www.connerbowman.com