Howard Peterson Clifton

Howard Peterson Clifton, 79, of 5101 Garland Hwy. passed away late Wednesday evening, January 31, 2018 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 5876 Garland Hwy, with Rev. Dalma Cribb and Rev. Cory Oliver officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Born on July 11, 1938 in Sampson County, Howard was the son of the late Gibbon and Lydia Quinn Clifton.  He attended Epworth United Methodist Church, where he was a member of The Bryan Sunday School Class.  He was the former owner & operator of Woody’s Crankshaft Service Shop, where he started working when he was a teenager.  He continued to visit his shop buddies and enjoyed flippin’ for drinks every day at the shop, even though he ended up having to buy them often!   He loved “piddling” with the tools and crankshaft grinder, which still worked after 62 years!  One of his favorite hobbies was tinkering on old tractors and reselling them. He also loved farming and vegetable gardening, and nothing made him happier than giving away his vegetables.  He also enjoyed traveling, was an avid fan of the Duke Blue Devils and had a passion for Nascar racing (always cheering for the Chevy drivers).  Mr. Howard never met a stranger and was blessed with a loving family, many friends and a wonderful church family.  He will definitely be missed!

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Linda Sumner Clifton of the home; his two daughters: Jan Clifton Jones and husband, James Edwin II of Newton Grove, Sonya Clifton Thornton and husband, Buster of Clinton; three grandchildren: Meredith Casey and husband, Joseph; Hagan Thornton and special friend, Savannah; Dawson Thornton and fiancé Kaitlyn; a sister, Helen Ballance and two brothers: Glenn and Charles Clifton, all of Clinton. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings: Doris Croom, James Clifton, Marie Hairr and Rev. Roy Clifton; and his precious great-grandchildren: Rhett, Aubrey & Luke Casey.   

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service, beginning at 2pm, in the church Fellowship Hall, and other times at their home.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the CICU medical team at Rex Hospital for their excellent care and compassion shown during his illness. They will forever be grateful.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church Men’s Club or Cemetery Fund: 5876 Garland Hwy., Clinton, NC  28328. 

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Clifton Family. 

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