Dr. Ramona Porter Clifton, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday February 14, 2021 in New Albany, IN. She was born March 14, 1925 in Central City, and a longtime resident of Bardstown, where she was an Optometrist for over 45 years.
Dr. Clifton established her practice in Bardstown, in 1947, as one of the first women to practice in Kentucky. She was active with the Kentucky Optometric Association, serving as its first woman President and the first woman appointed to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Optometry. Her practice became known for its work with children and developmental vision therapies, working to establish vision tests and programs to correct preschooler’s vision weaknesses. In 2011, the Kentucky Optometric Association recognized her with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prior to retirement, Dr. Clifton had been active with the Binet School, Meredith-Dunn Learning Center, and the Kentuckiana Children’s Center with programs involving Developmental Vision and Vision Therapy.
Dr. Clifton was active in the Bardstown community, having been a former President of the Stephen Foster Music Club and Treasurer of the John Fitch Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition, she is an Elder Emeritus of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bardstown. In the past she served as Chairman of the Board and Congregation, as well as becoming the first woman Elder in the local congregation.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Reverend Farris W. Clifton (d. 2010), who served as Executive Director of the Christian Church Homes of Kentucky (now Christian Care Communities) for 30 years. She was also preceded in death by her son, Edgar Dwayne Clifton; and two brothers, Carson Porter (Brunswick, GA), and Wyman Porter (Shelbyville, KY).
She is survived by her one son, Dr. David (Kim) Clifton of New Albany, IN; two grandchildren, Nicholas (Megan) Clifton, and Sara (Samantha Greenberg) Clifton; three great-grandchildren, William, Jude, and Elizabeth; niece, Susan McIntire of Blakely, GA; and two nephews, Carson Page Porter of Potomac Falls, VA, and Scott Porter of Louisville, KY.
Her public visitation will be 10 am – 12 pm Friday February 19, 2021 at Barlow Funeral Home of Bardstown. Her funeral service will be private at First Christian Church (D.O.C.) of Bardstown, with private burial in Bardstown Cemetery. Rev. Jim Summers will officiate.
Memorial contributions may go to Christian Care Communities or the First Christian Church (D.O.C.) of Bardstown, Endowment Fund.
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