Sarah Brown Alford

The beloved Sarah Brown Alford of Richmond departed this life August 14, 2003. She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Matthew T. Alford; one son, Thurmond Alford; ten grandchildren, among them three devoted, Sheila Philips, Thurmond Alford Jr. (Holly), and Shawn Holder; four devoted great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Wayne Philips, and Alec and Ava Alford; one brother, Martin Brown; four sisters, Mary Anderson, Martha Johnson, Idia Bryant, and devoted Bessie Walker; one aunt, Mary Katherine Perkins; a host of nieces and nephews, among them devoted niece, Brenda Simms and devoted nephew, Dr. DeVance Walker Jr.; devoted daughter-in-law, Tess Royal; her devoted goddaughter, Sylvia Hill; other relatives and friends, among them devoted friends, Elizabeth Flax and Lucy Brown. Mrs. Alford worked at the American Tobacco Company for approximately 20 years, and for the City of Richmond’s Juvenile Detention Home for 30 years. Remains rest at Walter J. Manning Funeral Home, 700 N. 25th St., where the family will receive friends Friday, 6 to 7 p.m. Remains will lie in state Saturday, 12 noon at Thirty-first Street Baptist Church, 823 N. 31st St., where funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Dr. Darrel Rollins, pastor. Burial Forest Lawn Cemetery.