Maridee Waterworth Cleland

Maridee “Deedy” Waterworth Cleland, 50, of Lynchburg, VA, died peacefully at her home on July 27, 2024.

Deedy was born on February 20, 1974, to Judy Torrence and John Richard Waterworth in Radford, VA. She graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1992, and attended St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, NC and Lynchburg College. Deedy grew up as a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and became a member of First Presbyterian Church after her marriage into the Cleland family in 2002.

While spending many years as a devoted stay-at-home mother, Deedy also spent countless hours volunteering in her children’s schools, serving on the PTA and fundraising committees. She was very proud of her children and dedicated to their success in school and in life. At the time of her death, Deedy was employed by The Bice Law Group where she worked long hours handling accounts and wearing many hats. As a valued employee, the firm came to rely on her ability to process necessary functions for the betterment of the clientele. Deedy was also a devoted parent of 2 English Corgis, Sunny and Otis, and could often be seen traveling around town on errands with both dogs perched in her black Tahoe. She was known for her zeal, creativity, energy, and sense of humor, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Deedy was preceded in death by her father, John Richard Waterworth, uncles, Gary Frank Torrence and William Ernest Waterworth, her maternal grandparents, Frank “Deedy” Torrence, Mary Torrence Sward and Raymond Edward Sward, and her paternal grandparents, Alan and Ethel Bannister Waterworth.

She is survived by her children, John Hunter, Taylor Weston and Barkley Morgan Cleland, her mother and step-father, Judy Waterworth Arthur and Angie Arthur, her brother, Chad Waterworth and wife, Katie, and their children, John, Anna and Sally Waterworth; her former husband Rob Cleland, and former in-laws, Judie and Jimmy Cleland, and extended family, Janet and Starke Camden, Torrie Camden, Courtney Camden, Pam Torrence, Shane Torrence and wife, Stacy, and their children, Ava Jordan, Carter and Windsor Torrence, Hunter Torrence, Alan and Linda Waterworth, and their children, Tommy (Sarah), Brett (Lauren) and Craig (Emily) Waterworth, and Greg and Donna Waterworth, and their son, Nathan Waterworth.

The family will receive friends from 4-5:30pm on Sunday, August 4th at Westminster Canterbury on the third floor in the Hume Room. A celebration of Deedy’s life will be held at 11am on Monday, August 5, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 205 Elmwood Avenue, Lynchburg, Virginia. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org, or The Lynchburg Humane Society, 1211 Old Graves Mill Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502, www.lynchburghumane,org. 

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.