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Burch ALFORD Obituary
Burch was born in Bishopville, S.C., on Jan. 20, 1924, to the late George Alford and Ophelia Lighty.
Burch was a World War II veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps from February 1944 to May 1946. He served on the island of Iwo Jima from February 24, 1945 to April 11, 1945. He was in the Army of the Occupation of the Japanese Empire from Sept. 22, 1945, to Jan. 1, 1946. After the war, he attended the South Carolina area Trade School, and became an automobile mechanic with a shop in Lamar, S.C.
He married the love of his life, Annie Mae Holmes and moved to Newport News, Va., in 1953. Burch worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company retiring from the X-13 Fitters in 1989 after 35 years of service. He was a loyal and faithful member of the Rising Star Christian Church where he served as a Deacon for more than 50 years. While at Rising Star, he served as the chairman of the Deacon Board for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Usher Board, the Missionary, The Pastor's Aide, The Male Chorus and the Senior Choir.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Annie Mae Holmes; his daughter, Carolyn Deloris Baltimore; and his grandson, Timothy Ryan Alford.
He is survived by his son, Burch Alford Jr. (Audrey) of North Easton, Mass.; two daughters, Cynthia Alford-Chancey of Hampton, Va., and Annette Bell (Darrell) of Eagle River, Ark.; seven siblings, Geraldine Doctor of Columbia, S.C., Ernestine Nichols of Newport News, Va., Edith Aaron of Hampton, Va., Virginia McKenzie of Highstown, N.J., Thomasenia Alford of Brooklyn, N.Y., George Alford, Jr. of Newport News, Va., and Julious Alford (Abby) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Michelle Walker, Reginald Baltimore, Erik Alford, K. Chiquta Alford, Buron Bell, and Malcolm Bell; eight great-grandchildren; special family friends, Berenda Coleman and Christopher McClain; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southeastern Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 6350 Center Drive, # 201, Norfolk, VA 23502 or the local Parkinson Foundation.
Viewing will begin 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th St., NN, VA 23607, with funeral service following at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to www.cookebros.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Burch ALFORD
3 Entries
Nia ( Pearlie) Odeoti-Hassan( Aytch)
December 9, 2009
To The Alford Family:
I just learned about the death of Deacon Alford. I first met Deacon Alford over 47 years ago as a young person growing up in Rising Star. He was the sponsor of our youth group. I grew up with Carolyn and Burch, Jr in this group.
Deacon Alford work was done in this world and this is why God called him home. God threw the "mold " away when he created Deacon Alford. Today, we do not see many people like Deacon Alford who practice what they preach when it comes to religion.
I will miss seeing his face when I come home. I always respected him as man of God and he always encouraged me to reach for the highest goals religiously and professionally.
Shirley Howerton-Barrow
December 3, 2009
To the Alford Family
Your Father and Mother were a beautiful, friendly couple and a great asset to Rising Star Christian Church. Deacon Alford was a praying man. May God continue to bless all of you during your period of bereavement.
Lewis Tyler
December 3, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
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