Naomi Lorraine Clifton

Naomi Lorraine Crellin Clifton (known as Dutch) died Dec. 16, 2012 at Lifecare Center of Osawatomie, Kansas. She was born September 25, 1929 in her parents" home near Garnett, Kansas. She was a retired teacher and homemaker. Naomi"s parents, Ray (O.R.) and Clara Roberts Crellin, owned Crellin Jewelry Store for years located on the north side of the square in Paola, Kansas. She graduated from Paola High School in 1947 then attended Ursuline Academy in Paola as a college freshman before transferring to College of Emporia and graduating in 1951 with majors in Home Economics and Physical Education. She taught home economics and physical education at Seneca, Kansas High School immediately after graduating from college. She married Keith F. Clifton of Osawatomie, Kansas April 13, 1952, moved to Sunflower Village, Kansas and began teaching Home Economics and P.E. at DeSoto, Kansas High School. She then moved to Bellville, Illinois and on to Bellefontaine, Ohio while her husband completed his military service. Afterward, they moved to Shawnee, Kansas, then to Overland Park, Kansas and again in 1965 to Emporia, Kansas where she taught second grade at Kansas Avenue Elementary and Walnut Elementary schools. In 1973 they moved back to Paola and she taught fifth/sixth grade math at Holy Trinity Catholic School then tutored homebound students in Miami County before retiring. After retiring she became a charter member of the Miami Quilters Guild (known as the original thirteen.) In 2005 she was honored as Quilter of the Year. Advocating quilting became her life passion through both teaching and judging quilt shows. She has served as a quilt judge at the Kansas State Fair, among many other shows in her lifetime, as well as a charter member of the Kansas Quilt Organization. Naomi was truly an expert on the art and history of quilting, and a very talented quilt maker herself. She was also a charter member (1948) of Shamrock Federated Club holding both district and local offices, Paola Chapter JB P.E.O. Sisterhood, Perfection Chapter #21 Order of the Eastern Star in Paola, and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Osawatomie. Naomi was actively involved as a College of Emporia alumni board of director holding office of president as well as other committee duties. As a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she stayed involved in many activities of the children. She loved people and made friends easily. She never met a stranger. She always found a way to connect to people. She loved spending time with her family, traveling, camping, sewing, quilting, and just having a fun time. Her upbeat personality and positive attitude will be missed. Naomi is survived by husband of sixty years, Keith F. Clifton of Paola, Kansas, as well as three children. Pamela (Stan) Weatherford of Edmond, Oklahoma; John (Brenda) Clifton, of Emporia, Kansas; and Robert (known as Bob) (Andrea) Clifton of Topeka, Kansas. She has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as many other loving family members and close friends. We will remember Naomi"s bright smile and warm heart. Scholarship memorials can be made to College of Emporia Memorial Scholarship, Fund #111500, c/o ESU Foundation, 1500 Highland, Emporia, KS 66801 in Naomi's honor. To leave a special message for Naomi's family please click on the Share Memories button above.