Cleo Halsey

PRINCETON - Cleo Nell Halsey, 95, of Princeton, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Glenwood Healthcare Center. Born November 21, 1930, in Widemouth, she was the daughter of the late Virgil Leonard Farley and Flora Mae Laxton Farley. Prior to her marriage, Cleo worked at the Matoaka Post Office, where her father was Postmaster for several years. After marrying her husband, Tom, the couple moved to Spanishburg where they resided for 45 years before moving to Princeton. Cleo loved being with her family and friends. Family get-togethers and family dinners were her favorite times. She and her husband organized the Laxton Family Reunion for many years. Cleo was a dedicated Christian and a woman of great faith. She was a member of Matoaka Christian Church for more than 50 years where she served in many capacities. She later attended First Christian Church in Princeton. Upon her husband Tom’s retirement, Cleo and he babysat Gerald and Lynn McKinney’s children, Chad and Jason, until they reached school age. Their joy continued then in caring for the children of Phil and Cyndy Branson, who were also like her own children; Sara, Jarrod, and Nick. Cleo later made her home with daughter Deb and her husband, Geoff for two years before moving to The Havens for three years. She spent the last 20 months at Glenwood Healthcare Center. She received excellent care from both places. She was loved by her nurses and caretakers during those five years. They would often comment on how sweet and loving Cleo was. She always had a smile on her face. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “Cott” Halsey; sisters, Laura Liddle, Louise Clark, and Elsie Little; and brothers, Ray Farley, Virgil “Buddy” Farley, and Tom Farley. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Deb Halsey-Hunter (Geoff) of Princeton, and Teresa Milam (John) of Oakvake; son, Tim Halsey (Tammy) of Smith Mtn. Lake; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John Milam, Jr (Tina) of NC, and their son, Justin, Melanie (Malina) Blankenship of Lewes, DE and their children, Jacob, Ari, and Willow, Codie Milam of Princeton, Ryn (Chris)Wolford and their children, Danica and Jordyn; great-grandchildren being raised by John and Teresa Milam, Alleigh (Trey), Gabryelle, and Lily Milam; step-grandchildren, Krysten Garlick (Zachary), and their daughter Logann; and Taylor (Hunter) Griffitts, and their son, Beau; and sister, Ella Mae Moore of Spanishburg. Funeral Service will be at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Gerald McKinney and Craig Hammonds, officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Memorial Contributions may be made in Cleo’s honor to Matoaka First Christian Church, c/o Kenneth Gillespie, P.O. Box 102, Lashmeet, WV 24733. The family will receive visitors from 11:30 a.m. until the service hour at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Tributes

Cleo Halsey

November 21, 1930 - May 12, 2026