Doris M. Clifton

Obituary

Doris May Clifton also known as Dot or Dottie, passed away  on May 10, 2025. Up until the end Doris May maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of others, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Doris’s life can best be encapsulated by four "F" words: Family, Friends, Food and Fun. In her 79.5 years here with us she experienced an abundance of each.

Family

Doris May spent her years in Baltimore, Maryland living with her parents Maybell and David (Spike) Pollard, both preceded her in death, where she felt very loved and supported. While Dottie had close relationships with her various cousins Doll, Thomas, Roberta, and host of others.  She was the only girl of her two siblings (David Pollard, Jr preceded her in death (wife Gloria)and Kevin Pollard, her youngest brother(wife Sauda who preceded her in death). Doris May always knew she wanted to someday raise a family of her own. She married Kenneth M Smith who preceded her in death. Later in life she fell in love with this chocolate bow legged baseball player they called Cliff.  After many years together they decided to “tie the knot!”  This was back during the days at Bethel Holy Tabernacle on Bond and Ashland Street under, back then, Pastor Ralph Dennis and First Lady Deborah Dennis. Doris May and Charles maintained a loving and supportive marriage of more than 18 years until Charles' passing in 2008. Together they raised four children, Pamela, Andre (preceded in her death, Corenthia, and Nicole (spouse William). Doris May regularly engaged with our blended family activities and parties. Throughout this time, Doris May excelled in creating a comfy and gracious home which was comfortable for her growing family and embodied love of family, celebrating life and love of food!  The crowning glory for Doris May was the arrival of grandchildren: Jay, Jonathan, Antonio, Kenneth, Mariah, Gabrielle, Isabella, and Ava. And Great grandchildren Jabril, Jayda, Trinity, Tren’ten,  Breanna, Bailey, and Aniah.  Doris May delighted in everything about her new role as a grandmother and took on the moniker of "Grammy" to signify her new role. She made it a point to be as engaged as possible with her grandchildren. From babysitting, to cooking  and making provisions for them, from attending birthday parties and school performances to showing up during holiday celebrations , Doris May delighted in her grandchildren as much, if not more, than she delighted in raising her children.  Oh and if you are a friend of her children then instantly you became a child of Doris May!

Friends

Doris May cherished her friendships, developing them at each stage of her life, with most of these lasting the remainder of her life. At the time of her passing,  Doris May still had friendships that she developed earlier in her life as a young child living in Baltimore City Projects, going to school at Dunbar High and at her job. Doris May worked over 30 years at The Social Security Administration in Baltimore Maryland where she connected with “the Diva Girls,Debra, Donna and Denise for life, and a host of other friends. Doris May’s friendships encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. From phone call chats to joint family outings, to sharing informal and formal meals and entertaining, to adventures near and far, to helping in times of sadness and difficulty, Doris May was up for it all!  She was known not just for enjoying her friendships but for being a good friend as well. She was the friend who would drive you to your chemo appointment just as freely as she would join you for lunch. She was known to drop off a good meal and  a few bucks at your front door just because.  Doris May  knew that friendships, like her homemade soups, took individual ingredients all working together to maintain the perfect flavor of love.  She was willing to put in the effort, thus got to reap the tasteful benefits.

Food

Doris May  was known for being a fine cook. She delighted in preparing good meals to share with her family and friends!  Learning from her mother Maybell Pollard, Willie May Bydume, and AntJo (all preceded her death).  EVERYTHING Doris May cooked had her “three magic ingredients,“ Butter…more butter and salt…more salt, now add that sugar!”  BAMB!  People would be slurping food off their plate asking for more.  Doris May enjoyed watching others eat.  It made her happy. Doris May took great care in making sure to prepare you for “good eating!” Whether it was a bag lunch for her children, a family dinner, a party with friends or a holiday feast,  Doris May could be counted on to cook something amazing and delicious because it was always prepared  with (tons of butter, salt and/or sugar), but also with boundless love.

Fun

Doris May delighted in fun and maintained a love of working hard, party harder!  Doris May loved a good dance party!  She loved good loud music. Talking over each other at the table. Laughing, drinking good wine and beer and celebrating family, friends and moments!  Nothing like hearing oldies but goodies music and remembering when…Doris May was dancing out of her mother’s womb up until being in her dying bed!  Eyes closed, can’t talk but she heard somebody say let’s go party and she moved her shoulders from side to side!  Nothing stopped her from dancing, not even when she was in a wheelchair dancing with Nicole at Nicole’s birthday party!  She loved a good party!  One of her favorite things to say was “WE HAD A GOOD TIME!”

Doris May would express how grateful she was to have lived a long life under the circumstances she lived through, full of wonderful experiences as well as a loving family, many good friends and compassionate caregivers. She truly embodied the adage of a life well lived.