Born at Kennewick General Hospital October 2, 1959, Cle Ella was raised on the farm in Franklin County by her parents, Henry G. Mattox and Betty J. (Haskin) Mattox. She had two brothers, Mark and Scott.

Cle Ella met Joseph Sapp in the Fall of 1985, and they were married August 10, 1986. Together they raised four children, Sean, Anthony, Mahaley, and Alicia Sapp. She was also loved by three stepchildren, many grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

After graduating early from Pasco High School in the 1977 – 1978 school year, Cle Ella attended Western Baptist Bible College (now Corban) and Western Oregon University where she studied elementary education and psychology, obtaining her bachelor's degree and teaching certificate in the early '80s. Her favorite thing to do was teach pre-school in Burbank and with Walla Walla Community College in the 2012 – 2013 time frame. She was always excited to learn about what her students of that day are accomplishing in their emerging adult lives today. Unfortunately, the pain she experienced in her back kept her from continuing in that line of work.

Being an artist at heart, Cle Ella busied herself with myriad projects such as re-decorating a house, tole painting (where she made many friends), painting and coating resin boards, and restoring furniture. The home was always kept up to date with colors and paintings to match the season. And her gardening! Always working in the yard and garden, killing those squash bugs, growing those blueberries! During her last year, Cle Ella took up the art of Mandala painting on boards and especially on rocks. Many people are in possession of one of the beautiful rocks she painted.

Finally, her dog, River, for the last six years of her life, took much of her attention. She trained him to be a very nice service animal, took both dogs, Beckett and River, out for a run almost every day, and did everything for them. They will miss her greatly.

Cle Ella genuinely cared for other people – always inviting them over, listening to them, praying for their needs even when her own were so great. She was a naturally kind, generous, thoughtful, soft-spoken, strong woman of faith.

In early January 2026, it was discovered that her cancer from two years prior had returned, only this time much more aggressive. She put up a brave fight for two months, keeping her strong faith in Jesus Christ through the end.