Luvonia "Polly" Wilkens Cleary Casares' Obituary
Luvonia Wilkens Cleary Casares passed away peacefully on July 3, 2018. "Polly" was born in Tampa, FL on November 7, 1928 and graduated from Sarasota High School. Polly first met Rick Casares in 1953 in Gainesville where Rick was a star football player for the University of Florida. Rick was soon drafted by the Army. Polly then met Thomas Cleary and married in 1956. Thomas Cleary was a grandson of TL Weaver who owned Pinellas Lumber Company then later established Derby Lane in 1925. During a stay in Crystal River, Polly and her daughter Dawn met Elvis Presley while he was there filming "Follow That Dream". Polly would continue to have a long friendship with Colonel Tom Parker, manager for Elvis. After Thomas Cleary's death in 1962, Polly moved with Dawn to Beverly Hills. Polly would come back to St. Petersburg to attend the grand opening of the Derby Club in 1965, as fate would have it also in attendance was Rick Casares. They were reacquainted and later married in November 1969. Polly and Rick lived in Tampa for many wonderful years. Rick passed away in September 2013. Polly is survived by her daughter Dawn Cleary, grandson Lani Cleary, niece Barbara Baynard, great nieces Kelsey Littlefield and Courtney Crummett.
A Funeral Service will held at 11 AM Thursday, July 12 at Boza and Roel Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 10-11am prior to the service. Burial will follow at Sarasota National Cemetery.
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