James Travis ALFORD

Travis
May 7,1927-Feb 10,2011

Husband of Mary Louise McKenzie Alford
Husband of Helen Craft Alford
Son of Arthur Levi and Margaret Louise Martin Alford
Travis Alford, 83, of Salem, died Feb. 10, 2011, from injuries sustained in an accident.
Visitation is 5 to 8 tonight at Salem Baptist Church and continues there 10 a.m. Saturday until services at 11, with he Rev. Billy Murphy, the Rev. Mark Wicker and the Rev. Larry Havard officiating. Burial will be in Boyd Cemetery in Salem. Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home of Tylertown is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Alford was born May 7, 1927, in Walthall County, to Arthur and Margaret Martin Alford.
For more years than can be remembered, the Alfords welcomed loved ones to their dinner table for home-cooked Sunday dinners. Even while caring for his late wife during her illness, Mr. Alford continued their cherished tradition. Because family was a priority, he preserved this custom until his death.
Having served longer than any other in the State of Mississippi, Mr. Alford was completing his 44th year as county supervisor and was looking forward to campaigning for the next term. He was past president of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, a director and charter member of the Mississippi Public Entity Workers Compensation Trust, chairman of the executive committee of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors; Walthall County board member of Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District, and past president of the Walthall County Board of Supervisors.
Besides being a faithful watchdog of the board of supervisors' budget, Mr. Alford was well-known for his knack of stretching a dollar. He continually modeled to his family how to save, repair, or make do; yet, he was generous to anyone who needed a loan or a meal. Each spring and fall he planted an abundance of vegetables in his garden so that he could share with those in need.
Even in his busy life, he took great pleasure in attending many Salem School ballgames and especially looked forward to cheering for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Alford was proud of being an American by serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He also was a Mason, a Shriner and member of Varnell Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Alford was the current chairman of deacons at Salem Baptist Church and was active in all areas of church life. Walking a long mile to church and back every Sunday and Wednesday symbolized his zest for living to those who knew him.
Mr. Alford was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 57 years, Louise McKenzie Alford; son, Homer Alford; and brother, Thomas Alford.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Craft Alford; a son Troy Aford and wife Kathy Mord Alford of McComb; two daughters, Linda Ingram of Hattiesburg and Sue Alford of Tylertown; a daughter-in-law, Joan Alford of Tylertown; two brothers, Hulon Alford, and Dan Alford and wife Joan, all of Tylertown; two sisters, Mary Thornhill, and Martha Ann Ladner and husband Joe, all of Tylertown; brother-in-law, Cartee and Nancy McKenzie of Hattiesburg; grandchildren, Christina and Larry Joe Rayborn, Molly and Lathyrl Lucas, Anna A. and Bill Nelson, Heath Alford, April and Nick Smith, Jessica Alford, Jamie Alford and Savannah Alford; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Bruce Boyd, Bob Bracey, Perry Clark, Jack Hartley, Michael Paul McKenzie and Billy Wayne Thornhill.
Honorary pallbearers are members of the senior men's Sunday School Class at Salem Baptist Church.
Travis Alford's philosophy of life was to love God and serve others by being constantly alert to the needs of those around him. Therefore, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Salem Baptist Church Gym Fund, Salem Baptist Church, 886 Highway 27 N., Tylertown, MS 39667.

Louise
Jan 12,1931-Feb 6,2005

Daughter of Cecil Calvert and Inez Griffin McKenzie
Mary Louise Alford, 74, of Tylertown [Walthall Co.], died Feb. 6, 2005, at his [her] residence. Visitation is 5 to 8 tonight at Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home in Tylertown. Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Salem Baptist Church.... Burial will be in Boyd Cemetery.
Mrs. Alford was born Jan. 12, 1931, in Walthall County. She was the daughter of Cecil Calvert and Inez Griffin McKenzie. She was a homemaker and a steadfast companion to her husband of 57 years. Whether the couple was planting a garden, building a deer stand or attending a convention, Mrs. Alford remained by his side until being confined to bed the last two years of her life. She loved singing, and Monday nights were often reserved to gather around the piano with other Christians to sing gospel favorites. She was active in her beloved Salem Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. She was also active in the Homemakers Club of Walthall County. Family and friends remember "Mrs. Louise" as an avid collector, and her many scrapbooks reflect her passion for collecting memorabilia about people she loved.
Mrs. Alford was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Homer Odell Alford; and a nephew, Cecil Ray McKenzie.
Survivors include her husband, Travis Alford of Tylertown; two daughters, Linda Faye Ingram and Sue Alford, both of Tylertown; one son and two daughters-in-law, Troy and Kathy Alford of McComb, and Joan Alford of Tylertown; a brother and sister-in-law, Cartee and Nancy McKenzie of Hattiesburg; two grandsons, Heath and Jamie Alford; six granddaughters, Christina and husband Rickie Bailey, Molly and husband Lathyrl Lucas, Jessica and Savannah Alford, Anna Alford and April Welch; eight great-grandchildren, Raven Bailey, Reece Bailey, Ross Bailey, Tanner Lucas, Lexie Boyd, Jackson Lucas, Maggie Lucas and Jaelyn Alford; and her husband's brothers, sisters and their families who were among her closest friends.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Heath Alford and Jamie Alford; nephews, Johnny McKenzie and Mike McKenzie;d and grandsons-in-law, Richie Bailey and Lathyrl Lucas.

Contributed on 12/29/13 by bill060
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