Howard Ellis Alford

Howard Ellis Alford, 77, of Osyka, died September 3, 2010, at McComb Nursing and Rehab. Mr. Alford was born May 6, 1933, in Amite County to Ellis and Edyce Stewart Alford. He was a longtime resident of Osyka and McComb before retiring to his home on Alford Lake in Osyka. He was a school teacher and basketball coach in Pontotoc, Bogalusa, and Osyka. He was the last principal of Osyka High School in 1961. Mr. Alford later joined his dad and brother in Alford Timber Co. He opened Alford Sport Center in 1977 where he worked until his retirement in 2001. Mr. Alford served in the US Army at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, HI. Mr. Alford was a member of Osyka Baptist Church and a lifelong member of Terry's Creek Baptist Church. He was a member of the McComb Lions Club and the Osyka Rising Glory Lodge # 215, F&AM. Mr. Alford was preceded in death by his wife Betty Rose Barnette Alford, his parents, and his brother, Hugh D. (Dick) Alford. Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Mike Alford and his friend Daniel Rau of Reston, VA, and Dave and Beth Alford of Ocean Springs, Jerry and Brenda Alford of Osyka; two daughters and a son-in-law, Cindy Alford Moffit and Eddie of Magnolia, and Karen Alford Lindsey of Ridgeland; grandsons Jarrod Alford and wife Shannon of Clinton, SC, Aaron Alford and wife Lauren of Starkville, Rob Alford of Baton Rouge, Michael Lindsey of Ridgeland, and Jake Alford of New Orleans; granddaughters Rachel Camp and Mandi Shoemake both of Clinton, Elizabeth Lindsey and Allison Lindsey of Ridgeland, and Samantha Ferguson of Magnolia; six great-granddaughters Andi Hampton, Emily Alford, and Madeline Alford, all of Ocean Springs, Kaylee Erwin and Kristina Shoemake of Clinton; and Ryleigh Roberts of Ridgeland and two great-grandsons, Julian Erwin of Ridgeland and Benjamin Hendricks of Lakeland, GA. Visitation is Monday at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb from 5PM until 7PM and Tuesday from 9:30AM until services at 11AM with Dr. David Millican officiating. Burial will be in Osyka Cemetery alongside his wife. Pallbearers will be Jarrod Alford, Jake Alford, Aaron Alford, Rob Alford and Michael Lindsey. Memorials may be sent to Hospice Compassus, 140 North 5th Street, McComb, MS 39648.