Cifford Stevens

In Loving Memory

of

Clifford Mitchell Stevens, Jr.

August 12, 1949 June 14, 2026

Obituary

Clifford Mitchell Stevens, Jr. was born on August 12, 1949, in Orange, New Jersey. He was the
eldest of six children born to the late Clifford Sr. and Katie Stevens. Clifford departed this life on
Sunday, June 14 at SOVA Danville Hospital. He was preceded in death by his mother, Katie; father,
Clifford; sister, Katherine; brothers Mark and Frederick; and Malissa Quirley, who he raised from a
toddler.
Clifford graduated from Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange, New Jersey. He was a member
of the track team and an outstanding high hurdler. Afterwards he went on to attend Essex County
College.
While still in high school he joined the Garden State Choir. Founded by his uncle Joshua B.
Randolph Jr. in 1963 as Gospel music was entering a transformation from the original spirituals which
stemmed from the roots of slavery. This new trend in gospel music incorporated “the concepts of
modes, rhythms, tone patterns, and harmonics” which paved the way for today’s gospel music
sounds. Clifford was a member of the original 30-person choir along with three of his aunts (Dorothy
Grant, Fannie Harrison, and Verrell Randolph); uncle James Randolph; and cousin (John
Throughghood). The Garden State choir released five albums, and Clifford’s baritone voice can be
distinctly heard in many of the selections.
From his father’s side of the family Clifford learned the craft of cement masonry working on projects
with his father and uncles Harry Stevens and Frederick Stevens. He became highly skilled at this
profession, always doing his best no matter how big or small the task.
Throughout his lifetime, Clifford lived in New Jersey, Upstate New York, New York City, Richmond,
and Houston, Texas. In the early 1990’s Clifford moved to Farmville, Virginia to be closer to his
mother. He was a lover of the arts as he enjoyed reading and watching movies, and cherished his
alone time, but also making new friends with his easy-going attitude.
Clifford leaves to cherish his memory: his sister, Donna Stevens of Chesterfield, VA; brother, Scott
Stevens (Janice) of Winston Salem, NC; stepsister Mitchella Stevens of Phoenix, AZ; stepbrother
Calvin Stevens of Durham, NC; nephews Rodney Pierre-Louis of Reidsville, North Carolina; Samuel
Keith Jackson (Alysha and grandniece Jordyn Rayne) of Winston Salem, NC; and Matthew Stevens,
Farmville, VA; niece Tiffany McClendon of Charlotte, NC; aunts Fannie Harrison, East Orange, NJ;
and Verrell Randolph, Spencer, OK; numerous cousins, including special cousin/brother William
(Billy) Harrison and a host of friends.

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