David Ward Cleveland, age 76, and a resident of Hickory, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian. He was born Wednesday, October 26, 1949 in Newton to his parents, Robert Vance and Mary Helen Davis Cleveland.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Newton County Funeral Home - South, 100 Old Highway 15 Loop, Newton.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Newton County Funeral Home - South.

Burial will follow in Antioch Christian Church Cemetery at Hickory under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.

Bro. Cade Price will officiate.

Mr. Cleveland was a graduate of Hickory High School, and a longtime employee of ESCO Corp. for 44 years where he retired as maintenance coordinator. He was a member of Newton Christian Church, where he served as Elder. Favorite past times were working on vintage tractors and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Helen Valentine Davis.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Cora May Gibbs Cleveland of Hickory; one son, Jason Cleveland (Rebekha) of Sturgis;  two daughters, Angie Guimaray (Mirko) of Hickory and Cassie Jacobs (Jonathan) of Lawrence; five grandchildren, Christian Cleveland (Dani) of Mantee, Savanah Cleveland and Emma Cleveland, both of Sturgis, Leah Jacobs and Mara Jacobs both of Lawrence;  one great grandchild, Levi Cleveland of Mantee; one  brother, Donnie Cleveland (Liz) of Newton;  two sisters, Nell Blackwell and Pat Sims, both of Bay Springs; several  nieces and nephews also survive.

Pallbearers will be Doug Blackwell, Mike Blackwell, Alan Sims, Chris Cleveland, Mark Valentine, and Robert Valentine.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Williams and Luke Little.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mid-South Christian College, 3097 Knight Rd, Memphis, TN 38118.

Newton County Funeral Home - South is in charge of arrangements.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com