Obituary of Cleveland Pinckney

Ever present, ever supportive, and sometimes something to say... The firstborn of Alice Eunice (High) and Rev. Luther Pinckney, Cleveland was a big brother to William Pinckney and Flossie (Pinckney) Jones. Cleveland was known by many as “Little Man,” who was raised on farmland near his grandparents: Sam and Victoria (Milton) Pinckney. His favorite childhood memory was riding on a horse-driven buggy by his grandfather, having his grandmother make whatever he wanted to eat, and sleeping in his grandparent’s bed. Cleveland moved to Boston as a teenager and soon joined the All-Black Unit of The National Guard of Massachusetts until it was integrated before being discharged for a hernia. Later on, he was drafted into an integrated unit of the US Army. The Army was shocked at how Cleveland thrived through their basic training, never realizing that he had already been through basic training with the National Guard. The Army sent him to San Francisco before traveling by ship to Korea, where he served during the Korean War. Although baptized as a youth in South Carolina, it was in Korea that he grew in faith, acknowledging that it was by the prayers of his mother and the grace of God that he returned home alive and well. Cleveland was honorably discharged in 1952 from the US Army as a Corporal. Cleveland married his grade-school sweetheart, Emily Mae (Jenkins) Pinckney, and remained married for over 66 years. They raised six children in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. He embedded key morals into his family, not by preaching but rather by example. Cleveland continuously helped others without looking for something in return. That’s putting it lightly, as he was a generous man with his time, talents, and treasures. Cleveland took great pride in building up his community by supporting local businesses and remaining in the Roxbury neighborhood while many of his peers migrated to the suburbs. He believed that investing in your community would yield benefits in return. As he would point out, the bible says, “You reap what you sow.” Cleveland was a faithful member of Columbus Avenue, A.M.E. Zion Church, where he served on the men’s usher board and acted as the church’s van driver. Cleveland was a very intelligent man. He appeared quiet, yet observed everything. He would always say, you learn primarily by listening and using your talking as an opportunity to teach. Cleveland was an entrepreneur working two jobs for most of his life: driving a truck during the day and a taxicab at night. He used his truck to move furniture, haul demolition, construction tools, and crews for renovation projects. Once he retired from two jobs in his 60’s, he became a school bus driver well into his 80’s. Cleveland will forever be “Cousin” to Joseph “Jobie” Pinckney, Annie Ruth Talbert, Marie Alice Whitten, and the late Rosalie Sullivan; “Uncle Cleve” to the Children of William Pinckney and Flossie Jones; “Pop Pop” to Amina and CJ, Keena and DJ, Darren Jr., Erika and Ahmad; Philicia, and Cherise Pinckney, Eric Jr. “EJ” Joshua Cleveland, Aaron Shariff, and Cleveland Joseph “CJ.” In addition to these, he leaves to mourn: his wife, Emily Pinckney, children Emily Pinckney-Clark (Darren), Eunice Pinckney, Jennifer DuBose, Eric (Claristine) Pinckney, Luther (Teda), Rocky (deceased), and Ann Pinckney, Philip Pinckney (deceased); god-daughter Sheila Talbert; aunts Rebecca High & Rose Clinton; a host of friends and relatives too numerous to name including great-grandchildren. The Pinckney Family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the three non-profit organizations that are dear to Cleveland and Emily: 1. Veterans Hospital TBD 2. Columbus Ave AME Zion Church 600 Columbus Ave Boston MA 02118 Columbus Avenue AME Zion Church 3. Hawthorne Youth and Community Center 9 Fulda St. Roxbury MA 02119 https://hyccroxbury.org