Clifton Jordan "Tip" Gifford

Clifton Jordan “Tip” Gifford, 89, of Fountain Hill, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2016 at the Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello.  Mr. Gifford lived his entire life no more that ¾ of a mile from his birthplace in the Shiloh Community, northeast of Hamburg.  He was a Rancher and taking care of his cattle and his land were a top priority.  The cows were not named, but he knew the ancestry of each one.  He served as Secretary on the Fountain Hill School Board from 1965-1988 for a total of 23 years.  He was a long time and faithful member and the last surviving Deacon of the Shiloh Baptist Church.  He was a former member of the Crossett Riding Club and a longtime member of the Arkansas Rodeo Association.  He was also the last Charter Member of the Fountain Prairie Hunting Club, founded in 1950.  He was most comfortable on horseback, whether deer hunting, hog hunting or persuading rodeo stock to leave the arena, with his blacksnake.  He always had a big garden and everyone participated.  The grandchildren have fond memories of digging potatoes.  He could do about anything he set his mind to do.  From mechanic to veterinarian, to welder, carpenter, fence builder, shoeing a horse, braiding a bull riding rope or a new bull whip.

He is preceded in death by his father, James (Jim) A. Gifford; his mother, Willie M, Jordan Gifford; his step-mother, Virta Judkins Gifford; a sister, Rachel Gifford; two brothers, Wendell & Cecil Gifford and a step-brother, Jimmy Judkins.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Joyce McGilton Gifford of Fountain Hill; two sons, Clifton J. “Cliff” Gifford, Jr. and wife, Susie, of Corning and Robert A. Gifford and wife, Susan, of Fountain Hill; a sister, Betty J. Gillingham of Fountain Hill; three grandchildren, Aaron Gifford and wife, Karen, of Wheatley; Amber Gifford of Corning and Brittney Gifford of Conway; a great-granddaughter, Noria of Conway and two special double nephews, Eugene & Greg Gifford both of Fountain Hill.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at the Shiloh Baptist Church with Bro, Elvin McDill and Bro. Ed Gulledge officiating.  Burial will be in the Flat Creek Cemetery with Bro. Keith Wesson officiating.  Pallbearers are Mike McManus, Dwight Duncan, Shelby Scott, Mike Richard, Chad Higginbotham and Eddie Corder.  Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Meeks, George Vestal, LaRon Berryman, Ronnie Berryman, Hal Gibson and Bernard Youngblood.  Memorials may be made to the Shiloh Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Alisa Scott, 774 Ashley 81 East, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at the church.

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