Cleo (Styles) Mack

Cleo Styles Mack was born on May 2, 1937 to John and Louise Styles Payden.  She was one of nine children, seven of whom preceded her in death.  She departed this life on Friday, March 3, 2023 at White Oak Manor after a lengthy illness.

Cleo Mack was a woman of substance – she lived a good life, a life of intentionality, based on God’s standards for success.  What the Lord requires of us – His measure of success – is that we act justly, that we love mercy and that we walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)   And that is exactly how Cleo Mack lived her life.  She decided early on that the actions in her life needed to reflect the values of God for her life. She acted justly. She did what was right,  she was a woman of integrity, loyalty and faithfulness. She was authentic – she said what she meant, and she meant what she said.

She loved mercy - she treated others with kindness, generosity, and grace. She was steadfast in her love for her family, determined to make whatever sacrifices were necessary to provide for the physical, and the spiritual needs of her three sons. She was resourceful, serving as a faithful employee of Drexel Heritage for over twenty years.  At home, she was a strict disciplinarian, but after the homework and chores were completed, there was always room for shared laughter, and for fun. She shared the good food that she cooked, and the good music she loved – from James Cleveland, to BB King – and made room in their lives for dancing. She loved her church, always making sure that the boys were active in serving,  and her community, never missing an opportunity to participate in charitable projects such as The March of Dimes.

She walked humbly with her God – she was not proud or arrogant about what she did – she was content to do good in secret, and was never concerned about public applause. Her life was focused on loving God, with all she was, and with all she had, and making sure her sons understood that they all should honor God as Lord of their lives.

Through it all, Cleo Mack was elegant and stylish and carried herself as a confident, composed woman of strength and courage.  The rich legacy she leaves behind is three sons who learned from her example to be well-dressed, respectful gentlemen, boys who grew up to be outstanding men – all committed to service and to justice. Greg retired from NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service), Ronnie from the North Carolina Department of Corrections, now the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, and “T” has served with the CMPD (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department), as and currently serves as Head of Security for The Park Ministries, as well as a Reserve Officer with Mecklenburg County ABC Law Enforcement.

Cleo Styles Mack loved deeply, and she was deeply loved.  She was proceeded in death by her parents and seven siblings.  Those left to cherish loving memories include: her three sons: Ronnie Lee Mack (Jamie), Gregory Mack (Heidi), and Terry Mack (Sheila); five grandchildren: Justin Mack (Sandi), Julian Mack (Kristen), Holly Neyland (John), Diana L. Sherrod and Kelly Sherrod; seven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. 

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, March 10th at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1116 Montlieu Ave., High Point.  The family will receive visitors and friends at the church at 11:30am and the service will begin at 12 noon.  

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