Gayle Lorraine Cleveland

Gayle Lorraine Cleveland, loving mother, beautiful sister, and loyal friend, passed away on September 12, 2026, in Farmington, NM. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh Cleveland, Jr. and Velma Cleveland, and her beloved sister, Cheryl Cleveland.

She is survived by her children; son, Nathaniel Cleveland, daughter, Mariahla Marrufo, and son, Nakiah Marrufo, her grandsons, Jayden Cleveland and Rashad Cleveland, and spouse, Chris Marrufo.

She is also survived by her sisters Karen (Don) Hetrick, Elaine Cleveland-Mason (Steve Mason) and Gwen McKim (late husband Mac); brothers Darrell (Wanita) Cleveland and Hugh Gabriel Cleveland III (Chasity), and her mother-in-law, Rosa Marrufo. Her nieces Briana Cleveland, Lynette Cleveland, MacKenzie Cleveland, MaKayla Cleveland, Ana Cleveland, and nephews Daniel Hena, Charles and Eric McKim, numerous cousins, and grand nieces and nephews.

Gayle was blessingly born on September 14, 1968, in Farmington, NM to her late parents, Hugh Cleveland, Jr. from Shiprock, NM, and Velma Cleveland from Fruitland, NM. Gayle’s clan is Mountain Cove People Clan—Dzilth'aani and born for Water Flows Together Clan--To'Aheedlinii. She attended Sacred Heart School, McKinley Elementary, Hermosa MS, and then graduated from Farmington High School.

Gayle was undoubtedly loved by her family. In her younger years, she spent lots of quality time with her siblings at parks during holidays, weekends and summers and had so many cherished memories with her family.

After meeting her husband Chris Marrufo in 1990, Gayle moved to Texas where they resided for 20 years. It is in Texas she had her two younger children, Mariahla and Nakiah. Far from home, but always in her families hearts.

Her multiple talents were never ending. She worked numerous jobs from 1994-2004 but her calling was being a wonderful stay-at-home mom, a fantastic cook (specializing in enchiladas) and centering herself around family, always being available when someone was in need of help or love. She was a multifaceted artist. From gift wrapping, fashion, painting, designing, and drawing. A selfless, amazing mother who spent her time and talents caring for the loved ones around her.

She enjoyed bowling, playing pool, listening to 70’s, 80's, 90's, all kinds of music, and spending time with her cousins from Fruitland. Her favorite character was Snoopy, she loved anything with Snoopy. She also enjoyed going all out for the holidays, decorating the whole house with fun themed decor. She loved watching Roseanne, Little House on the Prairie, Dark Winds, Three’s Company, different kinds of movies including Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, Urban Cowboy, Last Holiday, Christmas movies, etc. Gayle also loved her animals, especially their current cat, Misty.

Gayle made sure to create fond memories with her children and always making time for them. Nathaniel remembers, when he was a young boy, sitting in the back of their Bronco with chocolate and accidentally sitting on it and smashing it into the seats; his mom and Chris never let him live that incident down. Mariahla remembers when her mom picked her up from school, got Sonic, then ate it at the park listening to music in the car. Nakiah remembers when his mom would spend her day with him, watching Godzilla movies all day long. These were their special memories to cherish for their own.

She brought love and laughter to all who were fortunate to be in her sparkling light. She will forever be remembered and never forgotten. May she shine down on us all and continue to guide us in our lives until we are together again.