Brenda “Gail” Smith Clifton, 75, passed away Thursday July 9, 2026 at Tippah County Nursing Home in Ripley, MS, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Funeral Service honoring Gail’s life will be held at 1 PM Saturday July 11, 2026, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home, with Bro. Jack Bennett officiating. Visitation will be from 11 AM until time of service, and burial will follow in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery with no graveside service.
Born September 19, 1950 in Ripley, MS, Gail was the daughter of the late Raymond and Dorothy Smith of Ripley, MS. She graduated from Falkner High School and attended Northeast Mississippi Community College where she graduated as an LPN. She married Jerry Clifton on October 20, 1972 and they celebrated 52 years of marriage before his passing in 2025. Gail spent 30 years working as an LN for Ripley Manor and Resthaven Nursing Homes. She was deeply loved by her patients and their families for her dependance and care. She was a lifelong member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church. After retirement, her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren always made her day.
Gail is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry Clifton, daughter Rejeana Barkley, brother Raymond “Junior” Smith, Brothers-in-law Troy Clifton and Charles Gillard, Sister-in-law Cratie Brown, and Nephews Brian Clifton, and Ronnie McCormick
She is survived by her daughter Melissa Clifton, son Kevin Clifton (Lindsay), Sister Janice Gaillard, Brothers-in-Law Donnie (Gina) and Harold Clifton, Sister-in-law Sandra Smith, Grandchildren Austin McCollum, Kristin McCollum (Curnal), Ashley Moore (Jospeh), Noah Henry, Annie Clifton and Luke Clifton, and Great Grandchildren Saylor, Emery and Paxton Moore and Ava, Jackson, and Oliver Page.
Pallbearers will be Mark Smith, David Smith, Ben Smith, Noah Henry, Austin McCollum, Joseph Moore and Curnal Page.
Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve Gail’s family.
