Cleo June Hornsby

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July 7, 1941 — July 19, 2020

Cleo June Hornsby, 79, of Burnet, Texas passed away July 19, 2020. She was born to Marvin and Evelyn (Jensen) Ellis on July 7, 1941 in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Upon graduating from high school, Cleo proudly joined the United States Navy. Her time in the Navy was spent as a Hospital Corpswave. Cleo served three years in the Navy and was honorably discharged in January of 1963. After her discharge, Cleo was able to concentrate on raising her family while her husband, Ron, completed his twenty five-year career in the Navy. Cleo’s children remember her as a loving and dedicated mother who always cared for others, and raised them to be strong, independent women.

After her children were grown and had gone their own way, Cleo went to work for the Earthstone company in Burnet, Texas as a painter and quality control specialist. She also built a reputation as a meticulous carpenter, framing houses, and running an insulation crew. Even the smallest details were perfected before her work was done.

Cleo was an active member in many veterans’ groups, especially the VFW. She was incredibly dedicated to the men and women that she served through her activism in the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW, and served as president of the Texas Ladies Auxiliary from 2009-2010. She was also a charter member of the Highland Lakes Honor Guard.

Cleo is survived by her loving husband of fifty seven years, Ron Hornsby of Burnet, Texas; daughters, Robbin Neighbor and husband Don of Burnet, Texas, Jody Menzie and husband Tim of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Wendy McClain of Burnet, Texas. Nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one brother, Ron Ellis also survive. She is preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Evelyn Ellis.

Private family services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 24 at Putnam Funeral Home in Kingsland, Texas. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Anson, Texas.

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made in Cleo’s name to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI, 48827. An online guest registry may be signed at PutnamCares.com.

Cleo’s care has been entrusted to Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, Kingsland.