Rochelle Evette Clifton, the second child of Lillie Clifton and the late Sam Clifton, Sr was born July 12, 1972,in Mound Bayou, MS. Rochelle confessed hope in Christ at a very young age at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Mound Bayou, MS.
Rochelle's interest in education started at an early age when she attended ITM Montgomery Elementary
School, then later graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in 1990. While at JFK she was a member to
the marching band. She attended Rust College and later transferred to Coahoma Community College where
she obtained an associate degree. She went on to graduate from Delta State in 2008 receiving her degree in
Elementary Education. Teaching has always been her passion. Her first start was in her hometown of Mound Bayou teaching at I.T.
Montgomery Elementary School for a number of years. During her tenure there Rochelle was actively involved
in ensuring that her childhood school and students could receive the best she had to offer. She served on several
committees. Some of which included; ITM Elementary Beta Club Sponsor, Testing Coach for English
Language Arts and Mathematics in which her students scored proficient and advanced for several years,
Chairperson of the Homecoming Committee, Awards Day Committee, and MayDay PlayDay Committee, to
name a few.
She later went on to work at McEvans Elementary in Shaw, MS where she made an impact on several of her
student's lives and served on several committees some of which included; Homecoming Committee, Senior
Class Volunteer, and she taught Summer Enrichment for the District. From there she moved to D.M. Smith Elementary where she continued to make an impact by teaching 3rd and 4th grade math. Her service included School Beautification Committee, Chairperson of Clubs and Civic
Groups, Fundraising Committee, Grade Level Chairperson-3rd grade, Programs Committee, and After School
Tutorial program. Rochelle became a member of the OES elective Chapter #2 in 1996 where she held various positions. Rochelle
became a member of Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. in December of 2019, where she served as her local Chapter's Secretary.
Rochelle has been a faithful member of Greater Bethel A.M.E Church since a very young age. Actively involved
as a YPD Member under the leadership of Mrs. Mamie Myers and Youth Choir Member under the direction
of the late Mrs. Almeta Glover. Years later, she became a member of the Voices of Praise under the leadership
of Ms. Anita Smith. As she grew, so did her duties. She faithfully served as Secretary of the Official Board, she
was a faithful steward, Assistant YPD Director, Chair of New Members and Evangelism Class, Chair of
Annual Women's Day, Secretary of the Quarterly Conference, Active Women Missionary Society on all levels
(local area and conference), Church decorating committee, and Church Finance Committee. With all of these
hats she wore, she still made time for her family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Attorney Sam Clifton, Sr, her grandfather, Tilmon "Dude" Clifton,
her grandmother's, Inez Clifton and Eva Byas. Left to cherish her memories are her sons: Markevien Clifton and Samarj Clifton of Mound Bayou, MS; mother: Lillie Clifton of Mound Bayou, MS; siblings: Cobersti (Anthony) Watts of Shaw, MS, Samantha Clifton of
Mound Bayou, MS, Tilmon (Rayna) Clifton of Clinton, MS, Tracy Clifton of Mound Bayou, MS, Leanitra
Clifton of Horn Lake, MS, Sam Clifton, Jr. of Mound Bayou, MS, Lamar Campbell of Memphis, TN, and
Tedra Brown of Kennasaw, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, cousins aunts and uncles.