Flora Jean Clifton Elledge, 96, passed away on December 11, 2022 after a brief illness. She was born on May 8, 1926, in Brinkley, Arkansas. She was the first of three children born to Mason William Clifton and Myrtle Jeannette Stafford Clifton. After graduating from Brinkley High School in 1944, she continued her studies at Mississippi State College for Women. In 1947 she married her high school sweetheart, Franklin Hoover Elledge.

Frank and Flora Jean settled in Brinkley, where they both worked for her father at the Brinkley Argus newspaper. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Pamela Jeanette in 1948. But in 1950 tragedy struck when her mother, Myrtle, was killed in a car accident, and soon after in 1951 they lost their Pamela to leukemia. Following her mother's death, her father and 4-year-old brother, Buddy, moved into the Elledge household for several years. Throughout their lives the three siblings remained close until the passing of her brother in 2020 and the
death of her sister earlier this year.

Frank and Flora Jean were faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Brinkley. She taught children's Sunday School and was a member of the Mavis Anderson Sunday School class for many years. They raised two sons, Steve, born in 1951 and Ricky, born in 1953. In 1966 they were  blessed with another daughter, Judi. They became the owners and publishers of the Brinkley Argus and the Monroe County Sun where she was an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the newspapers until their retirement. Flora Jean was a Charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Coterie Music Club, Gli Amica, and the Chamber of Commerce in Brinkley. They put three kids through college at the University of Arkansas and she remained a loyal Razorback fan all her life. She was a wonderful and loving Grandma and great Grandma to her
eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was a breast cancer survivor and survived two heart attacks.

In 2013 Flora Jean moved from her hometown to Cabot, where she was loved for her genuine sweetness and kindness at Stonebridge Senior Living. The family is very thankful for the loving care she received at Stonebridge for the last nine
years.

Flora Jean loved the Lord, her family, and everyone she met. Her loving heart will be remembered and felt for generations to come. Flora Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Mason and Myrtle Clifton, husband Franklin, and daughter Pamela, siblings Elma Frances "Lil Sis" Clifton
Harper and Mason W. "Buddy" Clifton, Jr.

Survivors include sons Steven W. Elledge (Elmire) of New Iberia, LA, Richard W. Elledge (Tracey) of Cabot, daughter, Judith A. Hauth of Higden, sister-in-law Betty Clifton of Cabot, eight grandchildren Erin Elledge Ward (Reed), Katie Elledge, Clifton Elledge, Lauren Elledge, Allison Elledge Slider (Jack), Caitlin Elledge Wall (Scott), Cory Powell (Amanda) , Pamela Powell Mueller (Michael), nine great grandchildren Parker and Greyson Owens, Terra and Ava Elledge, Jackson Wall, Jack Richard Slider, Chance and Eevee Powell, Rodney Mueller and a host of
nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Brinkley or the Arkansas Baptist Homes for Children.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 17, at First Baptist Church in Brinkley beginning at 10:00 a.m. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.