Betty Cliff Clements

Betty Cliff Clements, of Charleston, SC, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, December 10, 2014. Her Funeral Service will be held at the graveside Wednesday, December 17, 2014 in Magnolia Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC.

She was born on the 7th June 1921 in Asheville, NC. The youngest of 8 children born to Anna (nee Vaden) Cliff of Charleston SC and Frank Davison Cliff of Greenfield Indiana. She grew up during the depression but despite the family difficulties she loved school and was an outstanding student, excelling in advanced math, English literature and geography. She was always interested in world affairs and this desire to be informed never left her. The family moved several times during her formative years and for a time she lived in Asheville and then Aberdeen NC before moving, with her mother, back to Charleston after the death of her father when she was 14. She graduated from High School in 1939. After graduation Betty moved to Florida to join her oldest sister and brother and entered the hotel trade, working for many years at the reception desk of a hotel managed by her brother, Larry Cliff, in Miami Beach. She loved living there and the interesting travelers she met inspired a love of traveling that she would one day enjoy with her some of her extended family.

Although she limited her travels to the more refined cultural destinations of Europe and the eastern seaboard of the US and Canada, she did manage a drive to the Grand Canyon for her only westward adventure across the USA. After meeting and marrying her husband, Bernard Clements, in Miami in the early 50's, she returned to Baltimore with him, living there and, also for a time, in Washington, D.C. She was never happy there though and returned to her beloved Miami Beach in 1961. She was devoted to her mother and looked after her for several years rather than have her live in a nursing home. During this time she joined the postal service and quickly rose to be the manager of Surfside Post Office in Miami Beach where she stayed until she retired in the mid 1980's. After retiring she built a home in Naples, Florida and lived there with her beloved cat, Surfy, for several years but she missed the East coast. So she returned to near by Fort Lauderdale for another few years before making the final move back to her roots in Charleston, SC in 2002. She adored New York, Florence, Montreal, Rome, Paris and simply everywhere in Greece. Art galleries, ancient sites and the theater were a passion as was shopping, intelligent conversation and sitting in a side walk cafe enjoying a strong black coffee.

Having no children of her own she took it upon herself to introduce her niece and nephew to Europe. She never forgot a birthday or an anniversary and Christmas presents were always special. She was proud of her ancestry which extended back to some of the founding members of both New England and South Carolina, being a descendant of two Mayflower passengers as well as a direct descendent of the first South Carolina huguenot settlers. She was a life member of the Huguenot Society in Charleston, SC. and took an active interest in their historical meetings and publications. She, also, loved wine, cheese, crossword puzzles, The Beatles, Elvis, and all animals. She aided several animal charities over the years.

She is survived by her nephew, Stephen W. Smith of Jacksonville Florida. Niece, Susan D. (Ugolick) Vadencourt and her partner Patrick Ragains of Wye, Kent, England and Richmond, Indiana. Niece, Linda A. (Cliff) Roberts and her husband Bill and their children, Jeremy and Tristan of Tallahassee, Florida. Cousin John Vaden, and his wife Doris of Mount Pleasant, SC, Cousin Lois (Miller) Wayne, Cousin Charles Vaden's widow, Evelyn Vaden, and several second cousins, also of Charleston, SC. She is preceded in death by an array of beloved cats, all seven siblings and one niece. George Vaden Cliff, Frank D. Cliff, Jr., MaryBelle (Cliff) Smith and her husband Odgen Smith. Their daughter, Betty Joan Smith of Perry, Florida. Marshall Cliff, Marjorie Cliff Ugolick and her husband Charles of Washington, DC. Benjamin Cliff, Lawrence (Larry) Cliff and his wife, Dixie Belle (Holloway) of Miami, Florida. Cousins, William and Charles Vaden of Charleston, SC.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Jenny and David Welch of Charleston, SC for over 10 years of loyal friendship, devoted care and unconditional support to the very end. In the last 13 years of her life she found a second family with them and that bought her great joy. Each remaining friend and family member will have their own unique memories of Betty and her place in their lives. May she now be at peace with herself, her family and the world. She will always hold a special place in all our hearts.

Memorials may be made to Pet Helpers, 1447 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.