Jesse Charles Clift, 96, died Friday, January 19, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was born September 9, 1927, in Anadarko, Oklahoma to the late Charles Weaver Clift and late Dora Delphia Lewis Clift. Jesse at the age of 16, enlisted in the United States Navy to serve during World War II. During his service, he was a Radar and Communications Operator, and was stationed on The USS Saratoga and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition to WWII, he also honorably served during the Korean Conflict, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War. Following a dedicated career in the United States Military, he began another successful career in manufacturing. He retired after 15 years at FMC in Saltillo as the General Foreman of Manufacturing.
Jesse married Reba Louella Carroll in 1950; they were married for 28 years before her death. He later married the former Dale Carmack and they were married for 34 years before her death. On March 16, 2014, he married Elsa Cook and they have shared the past nine years before his passing.
Throughout Jesse’s life, he was an avid vegetable farmer and gardener. He found great joy in sharing his vegetable crop with others, especially Safe Haven, SAFE, the Salvation Army, and his church family. He was a faithful and active member of First Christian Church and a proud Elder of the Church.
Jesse is survived by his wife, Elsa Cook Clift of Tupelo; four daughters, Carolyn Blount (Charles) of Guntown, Cindy Jackson (James) of Nettleton, Charlotte Goodwin of Saltillo, and Carlene Williams of Madison; stepchildren, Christi Traughber (Ed) of Florence, Alabama, Jackie Brown of Pontotoc, Teresa Cook of Tupelo, and Vince Cook (Jennifer) of Mooreville; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Betty Ferson of Grandview, Washington.
In addition to his parents, and two spouses; he was preceded in death by his grandchildren, Karen McVey and Daniel Cook; and six siblings, Homer Clift, Claude Clift, Pauline Patterson, Aline Dekoster, Delbert Clift, and Carl Clift.
Visitation will be 4 until 7 p.m. Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Pegues, Tupelo.
Services honoring Jesse’s life will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues with Rev. Sherry Horton officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Euclatubba Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Blount, Nathan Blount, Ian McVey, Dean Goodwin, Gunnar Goodwin, and Russ Williams.
Honorary pallbearers will be Vince Cook, Tyler Cook, Charles Blount, Ed Traughber, and Lee Traughber.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, or The Salvation Army, PO Box 706, Tupelo, MS 38802.
