Claudean Laverne Clifford, 86 years old, of Sacramento, California, was quietly called to Glory with her daughters by her side on April 7th, 2023. ‘Dean’ was born in Oklahoma on June 16th 1936, to parents Wardell Akers and Ray Nunley. She was the only child from the union. In 1942, the family moved to California, where they settled in Allensworth, the only town that was founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. It is now the Historic Colonel Allensworth State Park. She attended school there until her mother became ill.
She moved to Delano, then Sacramento, CA, where she was raised by her Grandfather Mack Bailey, then lived with her beloved cousin Dorothy Allen. She graduated from Grand Union High School, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart Charles Clifford. From this union three daughters were born: Carla, Carolyn, and Caren Clifford. Dean later remarried Arnold Metcalf.
Claudean worked several jobs before deciding on a teaching career. She earned a college degree in Early Childhood Education & received her Teaching Credentials. She taught at several schools & child centers, including Playmate Child Care, Marion Anderson Elementary, America Legion, and others in Sacramento before retiring.
Claudean was blessed with loving family & friends. She was a woman of unwavering faith, principals, & strength. She devoted her life to God, family, and educating many students. Dean was proceeded in death by her parents Wardell Akers & Ray Nunley, stepfather Frank Akers, husbands Charles Clifford & Arnold Metcalf, oldest child Carla Clifford and only grandchild Cicely Clifford.
She leaves to cherish her memory daughters Carolyn Clifford of Sacramento, Caren Clifford of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, in the Los Angeles area, and numerous cousins and friends. Claudean was blessed loving family and friends. In 1958, she was united with her church family at Shiloh Baptist Church.
