With great sorrow we announce that Cleopatra Ardry McCaleb, 82, passed away at her residence on November 25th, 2025. Surrounded by family, she peacefully departed this world for a home in heaven after a battle with cancer. Our hearts are broken by her passing, as we know that she lived such a gracious life and was loved by so many throughout our community and will be greatly missed.
Born July 9, 1943, in Hassell Creek, Hickman County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Robert Hardin Ardry and the late Dorothy Mai Trotter Ardry. A longtime resident of Confederate Dr. in Columbia, she retired after 25 years from General Electric and then later retired from Maury Regional Hospital Medical Records.
When thinking of how to describe her, the word that comes to mind is graceful. From her childhood until old age, Cleo handled every situation in her life with dignity and poise, leaving an impression on all who knew her. When meeting Cleo, one was immediately struck by her beauty; seeing a tall, elegant woman with beautiful coloring of auburn hair, striking green eyes, and a lovely smile. But after getting to know her, it quickly became apparent that she was even more beautiful on the inside.
Family and friends were always welcome and enjoyed gathering at her house. Every 4th of July, the entire family would celebrate together and homemade ice cream would finish off a day of fun, games, and most of all talking and fellowship with the close brothers, sisters, in-laws, and family she held so dear to her heart.
An extraordinary cook, she was famous for her breakfast meals, especially the made from scratch biscuits, and everyone loved her coconut cake. An avid gardener, she spent long hours working diligently in her yard. And her elegantly decorated home was always immaculate.
Cleo was an amazing imitator of Christ, a member of Northview Church of Christ, that loved and was beloved by her church family. The legacy that she leaves behind for all of us shows us how to love not only when times are good but also when times are difficult. We all felt happy to be around her as she lived in service to others.
A loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she is remembered by all as a caring example of how to conduct ourselves with grace and elegance.
The funeral service for Mrs. McCaleb will be conducted at Northview Church of Christ on Saturday, November 29th, at 12 p.m. with her grandsons, Nathan Harris and Adam Harris, officiating. Song service by Andrew Tomlin. Visitation hours with the family will be at Northview Church of Christ before the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. A procession to Lambert Cemetery in Hickman County will be at 2 p.m. with a graveside service to be conducted at 3 p.m.
Survivors include her daughter, Leisa (Kerry) Harris; grandchildren, Adam (Galyna) Harris, Nathan (Adrianna) Harris; great-grandson, Andrei Harris; siblings, Bill (Marjorie) Ardry, June (Travis) Victory, Bobbie Scruggs, Boyce (Carolyn) Ardry, Steve (Rhena) Ardry, and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
In addition to her parents, Cleo is preceded in death by her son, Brian Wilson McCaleb; grandson, Kyle Harris; sisters, Clara Joe Ardry, Lois Bee (Daniel) Kapela.
Pallbearers will be Larry Ardry, Robert W. Ardry, Ellis Scruggs, Shannon Ardry, Jehdiah Ardry, and Jonathan Steele.
This obituary was published by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home Directors.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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