Irene Martin Clifford

Heaven's choir just received a new member the morning of December 31, 2025. Irene Martin Clifford of Clayton, NC, had almost ninety years of a life well-lived. We mourn her. But we also celebrate her love for God, celebrate her love for her husband and family, and celebrate the career she had as a Christian educator and administrator for over 50 years. Born in the hills of West Virginia, she was extremely proud to be a "coalminer’s daughter." She loved music - started playing the piano in church as a young teenager in those hills and could still play by ear whenever she sat at the piano even in her late 80's. Her mornings started with the flying of the American flag in honor of her husband’s and son's military service. She was extremely proud to be an American and appreciated the time given by our military veterans and their families.

Many of her close friends and family have preceded her in death. As she waited for her name to finally be called to go on Home, she relied on God's sustaining and amazing grace to make it through until her time arrived. So we celebrate her life. We celebrate her memory. We celebrate the fact that there will be a time when we all will be together again.

She has joined her husband of almost 60 years (Fred Clifford) in heaven. Survived by her sister Nadine; son, Freddie, with wife, Lisa, and children, Ethan and Ansley, of Spring Lake, NC; son, Eddie, with wife, Gwen, and children Mitchel, James, Sophia and Emma of LaGrange, NC; and daughter, Rebecca, with husband, Tim, of Clayton, NC.

Her life was blessed by many friends, and the family is extremely thankful to Judy and Sue (the church ladies), Gloria (the flower lady), and to Rose (the cake lady). You truly blessed her life with your thoughtfulness and kindness.

She will truly be missed by her grand-dogs – Heidi, Auggie and Rudy. Rudy's morning bird watching will just not be the same without her by his side.

A family graveside service will be held at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks you to perform an act of kindness, service, or charity to a child; or make donations to Gideon’s International (Gideons.org).