Alene Walker Alford was born Dec. 19, 1915 in Negreet in the area of
Walkerville, the youngest child of Leetha Sowell Walker and Eugene Alford Walker. What a beauty she was with black hair, hazel eyes and beautiful complexion.
Funeral services for Alene Walker Alford will be held beginning at 2 p.m. on Nov.
2 at Many First Baptist Church in Many. Burial will follow at Ft. Jessup Cemetery in Many.
Visitation for Mrs. Alford will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 1 at at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many.
Growing up in Walkerville, she
learned the importance of a simple life filled with many blessings, but most of all, a devout belief in God, family, and country. Her dad not only helped start Siloam Baptist Church, but was also a messenger in the civil war. She learned from her
mother how to provide for a family on limited resources, but never complaining or worrying, knowing God would provide a way.
She graduated from Negreet High School where she took great interest in homemaking, and learning and planning
balanced meals. After graduation, she moved to Many and lived with her sister, Iva Dees, and worked in Dees’ Café. This enhanced her interest in cooking and planning balanced meals. “Since that time the love of cooking and the joy of sharing has been
a blessing to many.” That’s where she met Herman Alford (a good looking redhead). They were married in 1935, had six children and he worked in the oil field most of his life. Alene was only 58 years old when Herman died.
In 1962, Jannie
Tackett and Alene Alford decided to open a Merle Norman studio. They traveled to California for school and training, returning with their knowledge of skin care and make- up artistry to share their talents with the women of Sabine Parish. However,
that wasn’t enough for them. They enlarged their studio to become a bridal registry.
She was an Amway distributor, traveling across the U.S. for seminars with Brue and Nell Alford, and could sell products to people who did not think they
wanted or needed them.
She became interested in football and became an advid fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Every Sunday she, Jannie Tackett and John Curtis, Jr. would gather for the game. They would put a Cowboy sign in the yard, “Dallas
Cowboys playing – please do not disturb.” They would prepare a “banquet;” John, Jr. Curtis would arrive and the cheering began. One of their most memorable times was the weekend that John, Jr. took them to Cowboy Stadium, staying in a fine hotel and
enjoying the best restaurants. When Shon was in Dallas doing a Cowboy show, he put Tony Dorsett on the telephone with Mamaw. After the conversation, Shon thanked Tony for talking with his Mamaw. Tony said, “I did not talk to her – she talked to me,
and invited me to come eat with her.”
When their children were in school, Jannie and Alene made huge pots of chicken and dumplings, cakes and pies to help with expenses for the Many High School Band. They also organized and provided food
for banquets at the First Baptist Church for youth programs, providing more of their down-home cooking.
When Larry and Steve were Boy Scouts, there was some difficulty finding a leader. Alene took it on. Even if the boys were not that
interested in scouts, they would not miss a meeting, knowing there would be wonderful food by “Mawlene.”
Of course, while all of this was going on her six kids were in and out, bringing friends home for weekends and meals; there was never
a shortage of food for those unexpected guests. Everyone felt so welcome at the Alford’s home.
Until she was 93, when Alene’s car came around the corner, everyone said, “Here Comes Meals on Wheels.” Her oven-fried chicken, scalded
cornbread, peas and chocolate pie were delivered to many homes in Many. She was most famous for her “Christmas Boxes,” with homemade cookies, cakes, candies, and jellies, which numbered between 40 and 50 each year.
Her flower garden was a
sight to see. We called it her “English Flower Garden,” and it was to her delight when strangers stopped to view her garden, even knocking on the door to compliment her. With the help and friendship of Gary King, the garden flourished.
Alene Walker Alford was the matriarch of the family. She had a deep and abiding faith in God, family, and country. She saw the best in everyone and had the unique ability of giving unconditional love to all. Her motto was “Let Go and Let God.”
Faith, hope, praise, encouragement, humor, and giving of herself were her attributes. Her legacy will live on forever.
Alene was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Alford; her son, Walker Ross “Brue” Alford and her son-in-law,
Garland Lovelace. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Dee, Corley, Genie, Y.C., Norman, Harry and Alvin; and sisters, Leona, Iva, Mamie, Nonie, Nettie, Elizabeth and Bertie.
Alene Alford is survived by her children, Charlotte
Lovelace, Rosalind and Tom Andries, Dan and Lina Alford, Herman Lawrence “Larry” Alford, Jr., Steve and Janie Alford, Nell and Pete Crnkovic.
She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild:
Shon and Melinda Lovelace, Ross and Dee Ann Lovelace, Dana and Loren Alford, Colton, Jace, Jared, and Kalei Walker and Carol Alford, Ross Holly and Gary Gill, Phillip and Andrew David and Allison Andries, Kent and Grant Denyse and Chris Williams,
Rylea and Olivia Madison and Chris Rutherford, Madden Galen Alford, Laura and Mark Swanstrom, Lyle and Leah Anthony and Angela Alford, Abe and Aggie Katie and Larry Lombardino, Robert Ray and Arin Alford, Gray Jessica and Brian Sepulvado, Kane, Kara,
and Karlie Trey Alford, Joselyn Alford Elizabeth and Pervis Chance, Joel and Noah Rand and Andrea Alford, Parks.
She is also survived by her dearest friend of “60” years, Jannie Tackett and her daughters, Pam Curtis, Glenda Zick and
families; along with a host of nieces, nephews and other friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Shon Lovelace, Ross Lovelace, David Andries,Walker Alford, Rand Alford, Ray Alford, Anthony Alford, Galen Alford, Trey Alford and John Curtis,
Jr.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Gary Gill, Loren Alford, Pervis Chance, Brian Sepulvado, Larry Lombardino, Mark Swanstrom and Chris Williams.
The family would like to thank the friends and caregivers for their
immeasurable professionalism, care, love, and compassion.
Friends and Caregivers: Glenda Salter, Bobbie Jackson, Sally Stephenson, Brenda Nash, Lindsay Curtis, Miranda Lodridge and Aalecca and Sandra Sepulvado; Superior Hospice: Cindy
McLendon, Diane James, Chasity Ebarb, Rev Buck Furlow, Dr. Jack Corley and Staff, Susan, Floyd, and Amy Giblin and their staff at Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
Those who live in the Lord never see one another for the last time.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Fort Jessup Cemetery at 6349 Natchitoches Hwy. Many, LA 71449 and to the First Baptist Church of Many at 990 Main St. Many, LA 71449.
Online condolences may be made
to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com.