Clifton Leon Walker

Clifton Leon Walker, born on Sunday, September 10, 1950, in Corapeake, North Carolina, and was called home on Sunday, October 13, 2019, surrounded by family, comforted by his wife. Clifton was an amazing husband, grandfather, father, brother, uncle and friend. Even though Clifton was many things to many people, he was a man of God. As a young boy, Clifton ditched his bike in a ditch instead of going to school and hitchhiked to New Jersey. By the time his mother realized he was gone, he was in New Jersey working. Clifton was introduced to his wife Deborah, by his brother, Billy, over 32 years ago and they have never been apart. Clifton was always laughing and joking. He made his wife laugh every day, regardless of how stubborn he could be. He feared nothing and would try anything at least once. He made up his own rules and laws. Clifton was Clyde and he found his Bonnie in Deborah. Together they had many adventures, some unspeakable (LOL). Clifton was like the energizer bunny, he kept going and going and going. For many years Clifton was an over-the-road truck driver and used to say he had diesel fuel in his veins. He would travel all over the country and loved every minute of it. When Clifton decided to come off the road, he attended Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although he was in his 40’s, he completed his courses and earned his apprenticeship as an electrician. In 1999, Clifton joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. That same year, he also became a member of The Freemasons of Solomon Lodge No. 257. Clifton had a passion for life and loved living it to the fullest. He was always there to help others - he was selfless. In 2003, he and his family moved to Delaware after finding employment as an electrician for Delaware State University. He later attended Calvary Assembly of God in Dover. Even though he was not a member, you could find him smiling and laughing at the doors as a “Greeter” each Sunday morning until his health began to decline. He was known in his neighborhood as the Mayor of Tidbury Crossing. One thing about Clifton Walker is that he never met a stranger. He would help the neighbors mow their lawn, put up lights, coordinated a neighborhood cleanup and an annual community yard sale. When anything went wrong in the neighborhood they would come to Clifton and he would get it fixed., if that meant going directly to the City Council or police. Clifton, being stubborn as a mule, serviced him well when it came to getting things done. He loved to dance, cook, take walks and ride his bike. One of the things he treasured was riding his bike with his grandson, Andre, all around town. Clifton loved to eat and shake his mason jar that was always filled with iced tea, Kool-Aid or cold water. Clifton believed he was an inventor of everything, he would create all kinds of crazy products. He was always saying he had an idea first, whether it was the Hanes no tag t-shirts or the electric car (LOL). Clifton is survived by his wife, Deborah; his grandson (son) Andre Love of DE; children, Stephanie Jones (Darnell) of PA, Kyle Walker and Kortnee Walker both of NJ; three grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Willie Johnson (Velma) of NC, George Johnson (Sheila) of NJ and William Walker of NC; four sisters, Ruby Skeeter of VA, Phyllis Cross (Thomas) of VA, Teresa Aggrey-Fynn and Sylvia Walker both of DE; mother-in-law, Margaree Walker; father-in-law, George Walker; brother-in-law, Jerome Washington (Myra) all of NJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Clifton is preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Walker; father, Cleophus Walker,; sisters, Doris Walker and Cleo Sturdivant; brothers, James (Tim) Johnson, Billy Walker; and great-granddaughter, Blessing Thomas. Clifton will always be remembered for is his courage, humor and his larger than life determination and optimism. He beat death many times, when the doctors said it was over, he proved them wrong over and over because he knew who his doctor was “Jesus”. You knew he had faith, because there was nothing that bother him. He would never sweat the small stuff, or the big stuff for that matter. Clifton didn’t allow things to faze him in life. He just enjoyed life as it was and continued trying to make it better in spite of what was going on. Clifton loved his family and would do anything for them. Even though at the end he became so frail, he continued to give us all such courage and hope and reminded us of the preciousness of life.

Clifton Leon Walker

September 10, 1950 - October 13, 2019