Preston Walker Barclift – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
0 comment

Preston Barclift.jpg Preston Walker Barclift, 94, of Florence, passed away after a brief illness on March 13, 2019 surrounded by his sons and grandchildren. Born and raised in Birmingham, Preston attended Phillips High School and Howard College (now Samford University), where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and the cheerleading squad. Preston served in the United States Navy during World War II as sonarman on a patrol craft/minesweeper pinging for enemy submarines in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. After college Preston worked in Birmingham for General Motors Parts Division; he later moved to their Finance Division, which brought him to the Shoals area in 1951 and later to Huntsville and Gadsden. Returning to Florence in 1967, Preston worked in banking and real estate.

Preston dearly loved Nancy, his wife of 61 years, and their home on the lake which they built and moved into in 1954. Preston and Nancy were active members of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon; together they led the youth group in the late 60s. Preston and Nancy helped colonize Westminster Presbyterian Church in the late 50s, where Preston served as a founding elder. Preston was active in his community – he served the American Red Cross as Lauderdale County Blood Chairman, bringing the blood mobile to area high schools; in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary rising to the position of Flotilla Commandant; and with the Boy Scouts of America overseeing refurbishments at Camp Westmoreland. Throughout his life, Preston enjoyed researching and writing about his family’s genealogy.

Preston is survived by his sons, Robert Preston and David Walker Barclift (Debbie) of Atlanta, GA, and his grandchildren Caroline Hayes (Carson) of Tallahassee, FL; Rachel Emery (Marc) of Philadelphia, PA; and Robert Barclift of Atlanta, GA. Preston is preceded in death by his parents, Scott Cobb Barclift and Lucie Walker Barclift; his aunt, Evelyn Walker; his wife, Nancy Bowling Lott Barclift; his granddaughter, Catherine Stovall Barclift; his sisters, Marjorie Sue Barclift Forrest and Aphrey Barclift Dorough, and his brother, Scott Cobb Barclift, Jr.

Services will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church in Florence, with visitation preceding at 2 p.m. in the church library.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.