Mr. Clifford Daniel Crenshaw was born in Florence, Alabama, on September 6, 1943. He was the son of Harrison and Carrie Crenshaw Mitchell. September 5, 2024, one (1) day before his 81st birthday, Clifford answered "present" when his name was selected from the ultimate roster of roll calls.

Clifford accepted and confessed faith in Jesus as his savior early in his younger life. Upon his confession, he was baptized and united with the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama, under the pastoral leadership of Reverand Dr. G.E. Nelson. Along Clifford's spiritual journey, he later settled and united with the East Florence Missionary Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama, where he served faithfully as a deacon and in other ministerial areas until his health began declining.

As a young boy, Clifford attended W.C. Handy Elementary School and later graduated with the class of 1962 from Burrell Slater High School. Clifford was on the basketball team, but while attending Burrell Slater, he found his love for music as he was a trumpeter in the Burrell Slater Marching Band. Go "MIGHTY TIGERS"!

Clifford was a man of tall stature who was very meticulous about looking well and smelling well. He wore the finest attire and was a collector of colognes. Clifford served in a plethora of areas during his historical life. To highlight a few of his life's proudest moments, Clifford was recruited to the Air Force in 1965 and served as far as Japan during the Vietnam War era. He returned home and was instrumental in building a part of the Tennessee Valley Authority Nuclear Plant (TVA) in Athens, Alabama. In 1969, Clifford joined the Florence Police Department as one of four first
black officers in the city, where he earned many awards and accolades for his outstanding service. Clifford loved working with fellow officers and chiefs serving the Florence City Community. Through his love and passion for serving as an officer, Clifford worked as a security officer at various shopping areas and events. After retiring from the Florence Police Department in 2001, he worked in security at the US Social Security Administration Office. These experiences are a true testament to his love for serving the community. Along his spiritual voyage, he was well-known for his melodic voice, singing gospel throughout the Shoals (Quad Cities) area. Clifford's singing adventures started as a young adult with The Soul Brothers and Blue Ace Group. He later joined the Glowing Candle Singers as lead singer and director. While singing with this group, one of his favorite songs was "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." During W.C. Handy week, one could always see and hear Clifford singing with the Quad Cities Mass Choir.

Clifford's life may be remembered for several reasons, but golf was one of his utmost hobbies. Golfing provided him an opportunity and proud moment to work as a marshal during a national tournament at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. Clifford's affection for golf was shared, and it is now a generational hobby for several "Crenshaw" men. Many will remember him, whether it was spending time, having conversations, having encounters, or sharing a simple experience at some point in life.

Clifford was preceded in death by Ellen Johnson Crenshaw, his wife of 26 years; his parents, Harrison and Carrie Mitchell; his stepson Robert Thompson; his paternal grandparents Abe Mitchell and Freddie Mitchell Fitzgerald, who was affectionately called "Momma Freddie"; maternal grandparents Charles Crenshaw and Minnie Crenshaw.

Left to cherish Clifford's memories is one loving son: Trevor (Tia) Crenshaw, Florence, AL; two loving daughters: Pamela Wilson, Madison, AL; Passion (Michael) Jordan, Muscle Shoals, AL; one loving stepson: Reco Thompson, AL; one loving niece like a daughter: Kenisha (Randall) Berry, Arlington, TN; one loving sister: Alicia (Joseph) Young, Florence, AL; three loving brothers: Brenton (Mollie) Mitchell, Killen, AL; Jason (Paula) Mitchell, Birmingham, AL; and Jerrell (Antoinette) Mitchell, Hazel Green, AL; ten grandchildren: Derrion Crenshaw, Florence, AL; Tamara Crenshaw, Murfreesboro, TN; Trevor O. (Valerisha) Crenshaw, Decatur, AL; Danyeil (Brittany) Beckwith; Allen (Ciara) Brown; Kobe Wilson, all of Madison, AL; Sirenity and KaLiyah Jordan, Muscle Shoals, AL; Tai'J Berry, Norfolk, VA; Kaitlyn Berry, Arlington, TN; Sisters-in-law: Margie (James) Freeman, Killeen, TX; Helen Johnson, Tuscumbia, AL; Brothers-in-law: Carl (Nell) Johnson, Cleveland, OH; L. C. Johnson, Dayton, OH; Rufus (Rhonda) Johnson, Anaheim, CA; Jim (Deborah) Johnson, Tuscumbia, AL; Gordon (Jo Ann) Johnson, Leighton, AL; Willie Johnson, Killeen, TX; 11 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends; a dedicated caregiver: Aretha King