Martha Clifton McNeel

Martha Clifton McNeel, conservationist and public official, was born to the late Martha Moore McNeel and Pleasant J. McNeel, Jr. on January 6, 1943 in Colorado Springs, Colorado where her father was serving in the military during World War II. She died in San Antonio on January 11, 2021 of complications of Covid-19.

Clifton was the granddaughter of Pleasant J. and Lola Kokernot (“Dear”) McNeel and Bart and Martha Louise Clifton Moore. Her grandfather McNeel owned San Antonio’s noted McNeel Jewelry Company and her grandfather Moore was a contractor whose work included the San Antonio River bypass channel and bridges spanning the river and area creeks. Proud of her Texas heritage, Clifton always said she was born on Texas soil transported to Colorado for the occasion, but she got to Texas as soon as she could.

She spent her childhood in Laurel Heights and graduated from Incarnate Word High School. After attending the University of Texas, Clifton returned to San Antonio where she made her debut and was a duchess in the Order of the Alamo’s Court of Beauty in 1963. The following year she was princess in the Court of Ages.

After working in the Frost Brothers advertising department under the legendary Lessi Ellen Culmer, she moved to Washington D.C. in 1968 to work at Hecht’s department store but returned quickly. Clifton, a life-long Republican, became deeply involved in civic causes. Together with Wanda Ford and others she was an active opponent of the North Expressway, which claimed a portion of her beloved Brackenridge Park. She joined the San Antonio Conservation Society in 1975, and held many board and committee positions. As executive director of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and president of the Paseo del Rio Association, she worked with many who helped shape the growing city. After moving to the River Road neighborhood where she lived for over forty years, Clifton joined forces with her childhood friend, Sally Matthews Buchanan, and other neighbors to fight the commercialization of Alamo Stadium and Brackenridge Park. She was elected to the board of the San Antonio River Authority in 1983 and worked diligently to preserve, protect and enhance the river throughout its four-county basin. She served as board vice chairman from 1993 to 1997 and chairman from 1997 to 2001.

Clifton and her long-time friend, Curtis Gunn, Jr., were co-owners of the historic Barr Building on Broadway where they hosted parade-watching parties until, to her dismay, the parade route was moved. Abloom Flower Shop on the building’s ground floor was a gathering place for friends and customers. Though she suffered a stroke, Clifton continued to be involved in local affairs and to lead an active social life, hosting her annual New Year’s Day party for family and friends.

Throughout the years Clifton was a member of the Junior League of San Antonio, the Argyle, Club Giraud and the Assembly.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was predeceased by her brother, John Kokernot McNeel. She is survived by her brother, Pleasant J. McNeel III (Mary Martha) and nephews Pleasant J. McNeel IV (Catherine) and their children (Elizabeth Clifton and Emma Catherine) and Bart Cash McNeel (Jenna). Clifton is also survived by her former sister-in-law, Linde Judson, and Susan Combs (Joe Duran) and David K. Combs (Sandra), the children of her late step-father David St. Clair Combs. The family would like to thank Clifton’s lifelong friend, Cathy O’Connor, for her kindness. They also thank the staff of Brookdale Oakwell and Northeast Baptist Hospital for their care.

A celebration of Clifton’s life will be held later, when it is safe for us to come together.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Clifton’s memory may be made to the San Antonio River Foundation, San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation, Brackenridge Park Conservancy, or the charity of your choice.