Odessa Clifton

Odessa Jackson Clifton (97) loving sister, aunt, sister-in-law and dear friend to many passed away peacefully at Danville Regional Medical Center on February 20, 2014. She formally resided at Abingdon Place and been a resident of Riverside Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center since August 2013. Odessa was born on December 2. 1916 in Greer, South Carolina and later moved at an early age to Schoolfield, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Reverend Otis T. Jackson, Sr. and Nannie Wright Jackson. She was also preceded by her husband Kyle Q. Clifton. She was the oldest of seven siblings. She was predeceased by Opal Jackson Ashworth, Carl W. Jackson, Raymond J. Jackson, Otis T. Jackson, Jr. and Robert E. Jackson. Left to cherish her memory is her sister Ruby Jackson Harvey of Danville, and Sister-in-law Dorothy R. Jackson of Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is also survived by nieces Jeannette Van Miller of Nevada City, California, Diana McFarling of Danville, Terry Gilliam of Chesapeake, Virginia, Karen Clarke of Titusville, Florida, Connie Alderson of Ringgold, Virginia and nephews Ray Jackson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Bobby Jackson of Danville, Benny Jackson of Danville, Keith Ashworth of Chincoteague, Virginia and Kevin Ashworth of Ocee, Florida. Odessa attended Schoolfield schools and was employed by Dan River, Inc. from which she retired after forty-five years of service. Odessa had a love of music and enjoyed playing the piano for others. She was the pianist/organist at Schoolfield Baptist Church for many years and also filled in at local churches in the area. She was a regular pianist for the Senior Citizens. She was a member of the Schoolfield Rebekah Lodge #38 and the Eastern Star. The funeral service will be held at Townes Memorial Chapel at 2 pm, Sunday, February 23, 2014 with the Reverend David Turbyfill officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park. Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 7 to 8 pm at Townes Funeral Home and at other times will be at the residence of her sister, Ruby Harvey, 296 Arnett Blvd, Danville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Schoolfield Baptist Church or the Schoolfield Preservation Foundation. The family wishes to thank the staff of Riverside Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and the ER staff of Danville Regional Medical Center.