Clifton Prince

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Clifton Prince died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at his daughter's home in Columbia.

Born July 31, 1938, in Manning, “Bobby,” as he was affectionately known, was a loving son of the late Deacon Creighton and Lucille Brown Prince.

At an early age, Deacon Prince accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and devoted his Christian services as a member of the usher board, choir, trustee and culminating as a faithful deacon of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. He was also a very active member of the Manning branch of the NAACP and a lifetime member of the Brotherly Love Lodge No. 99, Free and Accepted Masons.

He attended Clarendon County public schools, graduating from Manning Training School in 1958. He also attended specific trade courses, such as welding from the F.E. DuBose Vocational School and AAA Driver Improvement courses.

Clifton Prince was employed in positions of responsibility with Walker Tire and Recapping, Sunbeam Manufacturing and Air-Cap. After 14 years of service that included numerous outstanding employee and meritorious service awards and certificates of appreciation, he retired as a Trade Specialist II with the state Department of Highways and Public Transportation.

Ebenezer named him Deacon Emeritus on Dec. 14, 2014, for his devoted and diligent service to Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. He was honored, humbled and overwhelmed with appreciation to be recognized as such a faithful member.

Deacon Prince enjoyed all sports especially baseball, playing with his grandchildren, family gatherings as well as being fashionable and well groomed. As an activist, he was politically and socially conscious, performing duties as a poll worker during elections or transporting those in need to the polls – ardently protecting the right to vote. Deacon Prince was a staunch believer of fairness and quality to all people.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Alphonso Jackson, Leroy Prince and Creighton Prince Jr.; and a sister, Edna Blanding.

Survivors for Clifton Prince include his former wife, Lizzie H. Hilton; three daughters, Angiloe (Alex) Prince of Pasadena, California, and Felicia (Daryl) Prince Heath and Shirley Prince Quick, all of Columbia; a son, Meredith (Mary) Prince of Columbia; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a goddaughter, Caroline Murray of Paxville; four sisters-in-law, Luella McCray of Columbia, Mamie Jackson of Baltimore, Maryland, Marie Prince of North Carolina and Nita Prince of New York; two special caregivers, Gussie Johnson and Barbara Martin, both of Manning; and a number of special relatives and friends.

Services for Clifton Prince will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where the Rev. George P. Windley Sr., pastor, will bring words of comfort.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.flemingdelaine.com or sent for the family to flemingdelaine@aol.com.

Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning is in charge of services for Clifton Prince.