Burnice Earl Clift

© Cheyenne Star

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Burnice Earl Clift was born April 16, 1900 in Duncan, Missouri to Gabriel and Nancy Ellen Clift and passed away May 9, 1998 in the Sayre Memorial Hospital at the age of 98 years and 23 days.

Burnice married Lottie Kelley on February 22, 1915.

The couple purchased a farm near Reydon where they established their home. Three children were born to this union, Gwen, Noel "Sonny" and Joyce.

Two children preceded him in death, Gwen Lane in 1973 and Sonny in 1985.

Joyce married Loyd Beals and still lives in the Sweetwater community. His wife, Lottie, also preceded him in death in 1977.

Burnice came to Oklahoma in 1911 with his parents when they left Missouri in two covered wagons. They settled in the Grimes area where he attended Highland school. As a young man, Burnice spent a year in the U.S. Army.

Burnice probably knew more early settlers in the Reydon area than anyone else. He had an incredible love for the land which was obvious when talking with him because he could tell you about every section, who owned it, and what they farmed on it. He was among the first in Roger Mills County to try his hand in raising Love Grass. He had been a Pioneer Seed Distributor and had served on the Soil Conservation Board.

In 1978, Burnice married Macyl Mattie Yell and they made their home in Erick.

Burnice was the last surviving member of the pioneer Clift family.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers and six sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Macyl Mattie Clift of Erick, Oklahoma; one daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Loyd Beals of Sweetwater, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Larry Lane and Gary Beals of Reydon, Oklahoma; Wanda Looper of Edmond, Oklahoma; five great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in the Reydon Community Building Tuesday, May 12, 1998 at 2:00 p.m.

Ray Smart, officiating. Interment in the White Rose Cemetery, Reydon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service.

Pallbearers were Darrel Logan, Jimmy Snell, Jimmy McCoy, Roy LeGrand, Gale Bert Parman and Frank Tidwell.

Honorary pallbearers were B. W. Duke, Red Duke, A. B. LeGrand, J. D. Wesner, Leonard Burns, Lester Davis, Herman Seymour, Bud Lippencott and Dave Cooprider.

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