Dana Elaine (Hitchcock) Clifton went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 9, 2026 at the age of 88.
Dana was born December 24, 1937, the oldest child and only daughter of James Boyd and Eloise (Crump) Hitchcock. She lived in the Chambersville area of Collin County until she completed second grade. At that time, her family moved to McKinney and she entered McKinney schools. She enjoyed a simple but happy childhood, filled with lots of family and love. Dana graduated from the original Boyd High School (now McKinney High School) in 1956. From there, she attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas (now East Texas A&M University). In 1960, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Social Science.
On August 26, 1960, she married David L. Clifton. They were the proud parents of two daughters—Diana Catherine (Clifton) Kays and Donna Elaine (Clifton) Clark. Dana was an amazing mother, always loving and supporting her girls through all their endeavors with her quiet gentle presence.
From college to the early 1970’s, Dana worked for East Texas State University, Texas Power & Light Company and Chrysler Boat Company. In 1974, Dana took the job of church secretary at First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas. She took this job because it allowed flexibility to be available for her children and to care for her aging mother. Little did she know that this job would be a calling that would shape not only her life but the lives of countless families within the church. Dana served the church for 27 years, retiring in 2001. During that time, the church had many pastors, but Dana was the constant. Many members can recount Dana’s involvement in the milestones of their lives—weddings, baptisms of their children and funerals of their loved ones. She also began serving as church historian, a role she continued to fill for almost 50 years, culminating in a history book for the church’s 175th anniversary.
In 1990, Dana embarked on the role she was always meant to play—best Granny ever! There was nothing she loved more than being Granny to Rachel, Rebekah, Jim, Jack, Ryan and Jonathan. She became the same constant, loving presence to this next generation, attending dance recitals, all sorts of sporting events, band concerts, graduations and anything else her grandchildren were doing. In May 2025, she was blessed with her first great-grandchild, Miller June Wamsley, whom she treasured.
During her life, Dana was a member of First United Methodist Church McKinney for 75 years. At the time of her passing, she was a faithful member of the Fellowship Sunday school class. She was a past-member and president of the Edelweiss Club. For her service to the PTA, she was named a lifetime member of that organization. She also served for many years with the McKinney Ex-Students Association.
Dana will be remembered for her faith and devotion to her God, her church and her family. Her sweet smile and quiet constancy have touched the lives of so many, and she will be missed. But the certainty of her place with Christ provides us comfort in this time.
Dana was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers—Jim, Sam and David Hitchcock—her sister-in-law, Jan Hitchcock and her niece, Angela Brien. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Kays and husband, Dan of McKinney and her daughter, Donna Clark and husband, Gary of Highland Village. She is also survived by granddaughters, Rachel Reid of Lewisville and Rebekah Wamsley and husband, Cameron of Dallas; grandsons, Jim Kays of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jack Kays of Seattle, Washington, Ryan Reid of Flower Mound and Jonathan Clark of Highland Village; and great-granddaughter, Miller June Wamsley of Dallas. In addition, she is survived by two sisters-in-law, three nieces, a nephew and numerous cousins.
The family will gather with relatives and friends for a visitation at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas on Friday afternoon, August 14, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:-00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2026 at First United Methodist Church, 315 N. Church Street, McKinney, Texas. Interment will follow at Pecan Grove Cemetery, 1701 S. McDonald Street, McKinney, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to First United Methodist Church of McKinney, Texas.