Marilyn “Skeet” (Harris) and Cleveland “Cleve” Whitfield were inseparable in life and inseparable in their home going to be with the Lord. With 53 years of marriage, both took their last peaceful breaths in the same week and in the same hospital in Santa Barbara in January 2021.

Marilyn was born and raised in Georgia. She left Georgia shortly after high school and settled in Santa Barbara where she found lots of work including jobs in nursing homes and hospitals. Meanwhile, others observed her good work and potential. She was advised by them to “get licensed”. Marilyn would attend SB City College, obtain her license, and began a rewarding professional life as a nurse for 30 plus years before retirement.

Cleve was born and raised in Texas. He joined the U.S. Army soon after high school graduation. He later married his first wife, Rosetta Thomas. From this union, 2 sons, Danny and Cleveland Al, were born. After his tour of duty was completed, he returned to Texas for a short period to join his young family. Cleve left Texas to pursue better job opportunities in Los Angeles, CA. His time spent away in the military followed by his time away in Los Angeles caused Cleve’s first marriage to end in divorce.

He worked at several jobs over the years before finding a rewarding career as an Aircraft Mechanical Technician in the aerospace industry. At the urging of a mutual friend, both Cleve and Marilyn agreed to be introduced to one another at a party in LA in the 1960s.At that time, she was living and working in Santa Barbara, CA. and he was living and working in Los Angeles, CA. The two began a courtship almost immediately and married in March 1968. Cleve moved to Santa Barbara where they would live inseparably for almost 53 years. Marilyn was a devoted member of St Paul AME Church in Santa Barbara for almost 66years and Cleve was a devoted member for almost 53 years.