Kathryn Virginia Clifton, 93, educator and beloved wife and mother, died Friday, February 21, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at her home in Savannah, Georgia.

Born in Tallahatchie County, MS, on August 15, 1931, the only child of William Luther Tierce and Inez Lunceford Tierce, Virginia was a 1949 graduate of Minter City High School, where she was salutatorian of her class and Harvest Queen. She attended The University of Southern Mississippi where she received a B.S. degree in Business.  Following graduation, she went to work first for the FBI and then Shell Oil in Houston, TX.  While in Houston she met her future husband, Warren William (Clif) Clifton, whom she married in 1957. 

A genteel southern lady but early feminist, Virginia earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Delta State University and for over thirty years was a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, and administrator in the public schools of Mississippi and Tennessee.  Her love for children and natural instincts as a leader served her well and she rose to the highest levels of administration in the public school system of the City of Memphis.  She handled SACSCOC accreditation while obtaining millions of dollars in college scholarships for the gifted students of Craigmont High School where she retired.  She was especially proud that her daughter Cathy also obtained her Master’s Degree and continues a successful private counseling practice.

In 1990, Virginia and Clif relocated to Perdido Key, FL and traveled extensively. An avid gardener and card player, she and her daughter Karen together obtained the rank of Life Master bridge players and she instilled a love of competitive card playing in both daughters. For health reasons and to be closer to her only grandchild, Virginia moved to Savannah in 2005 where she worshiped at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She was known for her colorful fashion, bold chunky jewelry, pride in her granddaughter, abiding love for her pets, warm personality, and love of laughter. She was also a wiz at personal technology, mastering her iPhone and apple watch to independently order her groceries from Instacart until her passing at 93!

A loving and devoted wife of nearly 58 years, Virginia understood the uplifting power of education and instilled the values of hard work, sacrifice, and selflessness in her daughters and granddaughter. Throughout her career, she taught and shaped the future of several generations of young people and her legacy lives on in the lives of all she touched.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren William Clifton and is survived by her daughters, Karen Groce (Todd) of Savannah and Cathy Hunt (San) of Mobile, AL; a granddaughter, Kate Groce of Atlanta; and a nephew, William Benedict of Houston, TX.

The family will receive friends in the chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors at 4605 Highway 80, Savannah, GA 31410 on Sunday evening March 2, 2025 from 5-6 PM.  A private, family graveside burial will be held at Greenwich Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome and memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker St. Savannah, GA 31401 or to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah. The family wishes to thank Joann Chisholm, Phyllis Balmes and Coletta Darrisaw for their loving care.