Cleo Juanita Hiatt

Miss Cleo Juanita Hiatt, 80, of Mount Airy, passed away Friday night, July 30, 2021, at her home. Miss Hiatt was born December 30, 1940, in Henry County, VA, one of three children born to the late Edward C. and Alpha Willis Hiatt. Cleo graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1959, and then she went to work at Mount Airy Knitting Company, later known as Spencer’s Inc. She retired from Spencer’s Inc. in 2007, after 48 years of service and holding various positions within the company. With a love of softball, she started playing for the Mount Airy Knitting Company team at the age of 15. She also played for other teams over the years as a pitcher and centerfielder. According to an article in The Mount Airy News in 1958, Cleo made one of the most “brilliant catches ever seen in girls’ softball.” Cleo always stated, “I will never forget that catch!” Miss Hiatt attended Flat Rock Presbyterian Church, was an avid Tar Heel fan, and loved crossword puzzles and playing Rook. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Linda Hiatt of Mount Airy; two nephews and their wives, Ralph Lynn and Debbie Hiatt and Mark and Tiffany Hiatt, all of Mount Airy; two great-nieces, Alyson Hiatt and Daisy Brown, both of Mount Airy; a great-nephew, Jarrett Hiatt of Mount Airy; a special cousin and her husband, Gail and Don Cox of Mount Airy; her best friends, Honey Rowe, Inez Chandler, Mary Jo Roberts, Sandy Goins, Vina Taylor, and Faye Pendleton; and many, many other friends. In addition to her parents, Miss Hiatt was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Gloria Hiatt Hawks; and two special aunts, Jessie Welborn and Mary Willis. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with Wilborn Rives and the Rev. Rusty Reed officiating. Burial will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens, beside her beloved sister, Gloria. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10:00 until 11:00 AM at the funeral home. At other times, the family welcomes friends to the home of Ralph and Linda Hiatt at 185 Noonkester Drive, Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Flat Rock Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 884, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.