Annalou Clifton

Just two months short of her 94th birthday, Annalou Flowers Clifton will be laid to rest in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Annalou was born in Erick, Oklahoma, on June 18, 1929, the 8th of 10 children, to Samuel Turner and Anna Myrtle Morgan Flowers. She met her lifelong love, Jerry Taylor Clifton at Blanchard High School in 9th grade.  They married just after graduation.  Jerry joined the US Army, and was deployed to Italy at the end of WWII. Annalou waited for him, and upon his return joined him at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  Upon completion of his enlistment, Jerry utilized his GI Bill to earn his BS degree and was subsequently accepted to medical school at Oklahoma University (OU)  It was during this time that Annalou supported the family through demonstrating to customers how to operate the new Singer sewing machine. In addition, she did payroll and correspondence at the university, typing 90 wpm on a manual typewriter! Gary and Carol were born the latter part of Jerry’s education and soon after they were bound for the wild west-Arizona. After settling in Show Low, Jerry set up his medical practice and Annalou became actively involved in charity, fund raising and social events. She was a formidable force for helping create change in this small town in northern Arizona. They built a home on the local golf course, where she took up the sport and became actively involved in the ladies’ golf league. It was also during this time, their third child, Darrell, was born.

In 1967 the family moved to Santa Monica, California seeking a better climate, education for the kids, and the opportunities that would come from Jerry’s desire to specialize in psychiatry.  Again, Annalou worked tirelessly for a charity associated with the Santa Monica Hospital.  During their time in Santa Monica, children were growing up and going off to college, working and starting their own lives.  With the kids leaving the nest, Annalou and Jerry were able to travel, visiting many European and Asian countries.  She entertained frequently, completely remodeled their home, actively participated in a bridge club, continued golfing, and enjoyed watching her children start families of their own.

After retirement, the couple followed a new dream and moved to Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they built a custom home, made new friends, and she became a fierce bridge competitor.  However, just two short years later her husband’s light was extinguished at an early age from a brain aneurysm. Annalou stayed in their home for 23 more years, leaning on the  memories of her beloved husband, in a neighborhood she loved, and surrounded by friends with whom she was very close.

Finally, in 2016, her children convinced her to move so she could be closer to her daughter, Carol, as she was showing signs of dementia.  Not long after, her children realized the worst; dementia had progressed to Alzheimer’s.  Alzheimer’s finally took its toll and she passed away peacefully on April 4, 2023

Annalou will be missed.  For those who knew her, she possessed a quick wit, a sharp mind and a good joke. Though she never pursued a college degree, her expert knowledge of English grammar and mental mathematics were enviable. Annalou often had the NYT crossword done by noon with little effort.  She was extremely well read and understood politics at a level that often baffled those around her.  She excelled at cooking and had a reputation for her homemade pecan pie and Baklava, which, for her children made coming home for a meal a real treat, especially holidays.  However, if you were to ask her what mattered most it was Jerry. Even after his death she would defer to his wise words in difficult situations. They were totally devoted to each other.  They overcame the depression era and poverty to build a family and lives for themselves and their children that left little for want. She was the glue that kept it all together and made it work.

Annalou was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings and their spouses.  She is survived by sons, Gary (and Lori), Darrell (and Genelita) and daughter, Carol (and Rick) Lynds.  She leaves 7 grandchildren and their families, including 8 great grandchildren.

The family would like to gratefully thank the staff at Valencia Manor Home for their care and support these last few years.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.