Edward Worthy Clifton

Edward Worthy Clifton, 97, of Altoona, Alabama, passed away on October 25, 2021. He was preceded in death by his son, Edward Brent Clifton, and his great-grandson Jack Edward Sligh. He is survived by his friend of 91 years and wife of 75 years, Imogene Clifton, and his daughters: Dawn Cone (Charlie) and Rhonda Rogers (Tony). He is also survived by five grandchildren who were the lights of his life and the ones who were trusted to write his obituary: Dr. Allison Cone Sligh (Chip), Rev. Christopher Cone, Dr. Angela Clifton (Kyle McCann), Joshua Rogers (Jenna), and Melody Rogers Hopper (Dan). Each of the five are certain they were his favorite, but that status probably actually fell on his treasured great-grandchildren who never tired of listening to his stories and spent every minute they were with him trying to make him laugh. Ranging from 21 to 2 1/2 years old, these great-grands are his gift to the world. In order of age, they are: Luke Sligh, Abbie Cone, Sage McCann, Clancy Cone, Wyatt Sligh, Landon McCann, Logan McCann, Callie Sligh, Joanna Hopper, Jessa Rogers, Audra Hopper, Levi Hopper, and Noah Hopper. No list of survivors would be complete without our special family friend, Dianne Hilburn Cowan, who may have the best Edward Clifton stories of all of us - just ask her.

Born to Wheeler and Vesta Clifton on June 24, 1924, he was the fifth of eight children and the last surviving member of their immediate family. He married his high school sweetheart Imogene Phillips Clifton on December 29, 1945, just after he returned home from World War II where he served in the United States Marine Corps. He worked at the steel plant in Gadsden from March 10, 1950 to May 31, 1985. We know the exact dates because they’re still displayed on the treasured hard hat he was given at retirement. He was a member of the Church of God in Altoona, Alabama, the United Steelworkers of America, the Veterans’ Administration, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans, where he was a life member.

We all held out hope that we could beat him someday, but he was consistently the family Scrabble champion. Several boards were worn through and a few official Scrabble dictionaries were left in tatters from checking his words. When he wasn’t beating us in Scrabble, he spent time in his garden, walked the perimeter of the town, and amazed everyone with his memory of Bible verses. Mostly though, he was truly a friend to all who knew him and never hesitated to share his love of Jesus with every person he met. He was the teller of the best tales, the person who laughed the loudest, the one wearing the sweater vest, and our forever favorite. We love you Grandaddy and we will make sure your story is always remembered.

We will celebrate his life and invite you to join us with face masks at your comfort level on Friday, October 29, 11 a.m. at Morgan Funeral Home, Attalla, Alabama. The service will be led by Rev. Christopher Cone and Rev. Tommy Phillips followed by a military ceremony. Pall bearers: Dan Hopper, Joshua Rogers, Kyle McCann, Chip Sligh, Luke Sligh, Wyatt Sligh, Landon McCann, and Logan McCann. Honorary pall bearers: Ronnie Blanton, Kenneth Chandler, Joseph Hudson, Harold Johnson, Sonny Nichols, Raymond Phillips and Gary Thompson.

Graveside interment: Altoona Walnut Grove Cemetery.