Reverend Clifford Loftis, Sr.

Reverend Clifford Loftis, Sr., 87, went home to be with the Lord on September 13, 2021. He was born in Delaware County, Oklahoma on March 26, 1934 to Viola Watermelon and raised in Jay by his mother and Lee Watermelon. As an adult, Clifford was a carpenter, a mechanic, and a worker for the State Highway Department for 15 years. He also helped build and worked as a handyman at Wickliffe Schools. He was a kind, cheerful man who loved to tell jokes and pull pranks. Clifford married Nellie Boney in 1956 and had 4 children. He became a church deacon in 1963 and would go on to become a licensed minister ten years later. In 1985, he became an ordained minister while pastoring at Snake Creek Baptist Church. Throughout his life as a pastor, he spread God’s word at Snake Creek, Elm Prairie, and Pine Ridge Baptist churches. His favorite times were spent at Fellowship where he inspired and influenced many. Clifford was known by many names in his life; son, brother, father, dudu (grandpa), friend, but above all, he was a man of God. He dedicated his earthly life to serving God and pastoring to others.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 17, 2021 in the Euwasha Baptist Church in Kenwood with Reverend Richard Guy Soldier and Reverend Stanley Grass officiating. Burial will follow in the Euwasha Cemetery with Reverend D.J. McCarter, Reverend Jessie Jones, Jr., Reverend Jess Williams, Reverend Jess Glass, Reverend Richard Budder, Reverend Charlie Shell Reverend Avery McGee. Honorary casket bearer will be Reverend Willis Backwater. Visitation and Wake Service will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 16, 2021 in the Shipman’s Funeral Home Chapel. To leave his family a message, please visit his Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.

Clifford is preceded in death by his wife, Nellie, mother, Viola, and sisters, Edna Sultzer and Ruth Pickup. He is survived by his son, Clifford Loftis, Jr. and wife Pat of Spavinaw, Oklahoma and Roger Loftis and wife Betsy of Leach, Oklahoma; daughter, Shirley Bearpaw and husband Zim of Jay, Oklahoma, daughter, Shara (Faye) of the home. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren on the way, numerous nieces and nephews, and 6 special “adopted” children, Nedra Dry, JR Nofire, Mikayla Snell, Mary Lee Hildebrand, Charles Sunny Keener, and Melvina King.