Margaret Clifton

Margaret Bailey Clifton, 95, of Orlando, passed away peacefully at home on 4/4/23. She was born in Orlando to the late Henry Pearson Bailey and Myrtle Bailey, of Hart County, Georgia on October 7, 1927.

Margaret graduated from the 1945 class of Orlando High School where she was a Dixie Deb, a member of the student council and the Tiganda yearbook staff.

She married the late Howard J. Clifton in 1953, and they moved to Maitland with their twins in 1962.

After attending junior college, Margaret started work at Ivey’s in downtown Orlando. Her sense of style in clothing led her to be chosen as a window dresser who got to pick the clothes for the display models. Another source of pride for her in this job was when she was chosen to be Mrs. Santa Clause on the Ivey’s float in the Orlando Christmas Parade down Orange Avenue. Margaret later worked in the accounting department of GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) for over 30 years. She loved her job and was well respected by all the managers of the local car dealerships.

Margaret was a member of the Maitland Women’s Club and the First Baptist Church of Winter Park. Some of her favorite pastimes included watching and attending the Florida Gators’ football games and Stetson Law alumni events with her husband, attorney Howard Clifton. In retirement, Margaret also enjoyed traveling and cruising to many countries and islands with Jan, her good friend from work. She also traveled and spent time with her children on vacation in Georgia and Kentucky. With a sense of adventure and no complaints, she would drive all night with her son Clay and their Shitzus up to the Kentucky property so Clay could go deer hunting. She also traveled all over the state and to Georgia and South Carolina to go to dog shows with her daughter Candy. Margaret loved all animals, especially all the family’s cats and dogs, which included Shitzus and Irish Setters.

Margaret was always a gracious, kind person who knew how to get along with all kinds of people. She was wise and always gave great advice as a mother and friend. She knew and loved the Lord, who was the source of her strength and wisdom. She is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Clifton, her son, Clay Clifton and daughter-in-law, Heidi Platz Clifton. She is survived by her daughter, Candy Eddins (Rodney) and her Shitzus, Sophie and Coco and cats, Athena and Paisley.

Funeral arrangements will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 10:00a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Winter Park, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pet Alliance of Orlando in honor of Margaret Clifton.