Haile Lorraine ALFORD

Judge Haile Lorraine Alford The Honorable Haile L. Alford passed away suddenly August 11, 2003 at her residence. Judge Alford was born in Brooklyn, NY to William and Eleanor Alford. She was a resident of Wilmington, DE for more than 26 years. Appointed by former Governor Michael N. Castle in 1992, Judge Alford became the first African American woman to serve on the Delaware State Supreme Court. She remained in that position until her death. Judge Alford received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Herbert H. Lehman College-City University of New York in 1971. She earned her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, NJ in 1976 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar the same year. Admission to the Delaware Bar followed in 1981. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Alford was employed with Hercules, Inc. and Aqualon Company. Judge Alford held membership in a myriad of organizations that reflected her wife-ranging interests and active responsibility to the legal profession and her commitment to making the greater Wilmington community a better place in which to live. this included the Delaware State Bar Association: Women in Law Division and Multicultural Judges and Lawyers Division; Board of Governors for the National Bar Association Judicial Council; Philadelphia Judicial Council; and Board of Managers for the Wilmington Library. Past memberships included board member of New Castle County Head Start; board member of Delaware Adolescence Program, Inc.; a member of Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Fairness; committee of the Delaware Supreme Court and the Governor's Council on Labor. Some of her hobbies were bridge, sewing, biking and collecting antiques. Judge Alford will be lovingly remembered by her devoted son and daughter, Julian and Kaamilah Moore; 3 brothers, William D., Jr., Harry W. and Douglas B. Alford; 2 sisters-in-law, Patrice and Esther Alford; 2 nephews, William and Harry, Jr.; 3 nieces, Kia, Nicole and Tasha; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and a host of devoted friends and judiciary associates. In addition to her parents, her brother, Norris Alford, preceded her in death. Homegoing Celebration will be 4 pm Sunday, August. 17 at St. Paul UAME Church, 3114 N. Market St., Wilmington. There will be no viewing. Interment will be in The Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. Donations in memory of Judge Alford may be sent to New Castle County Head Start, Inc., Suite 101, 258 Chapman Rd., Newark, DE 19702; or to the American Heart Association, 1096 Old Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE 19713. Arrangements by CONGO FUNERAL HOME