Obituary of Joe Alford

Joe Lavern Alford                  

                Joe Lavern Alford, 85 of Jackson Mississippi, was called home to be with the Lord on July 31, 2018 while surrounded by his family.  He bravely fought brain cancer for 9 months and was a walking testimony to many people throughout his journey.  A visitation honoring Joe’s life will be held Friday August 3, 2018 from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Madison in Madison Mississippi. A celebration of his life will follow at 11 A.M. Friday at First Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi.

Joe was born August 11, 1932 to Mr. Sim Alford and Beulah Alford in Leake County near Carthage Mississippi in the Freeney Community. He retired from the Jackson Police Department while serving as Captain of the Vice and Narcotics Division.  He also served in the military as a military police officer and retired with the rank of a CW3 in the US Army Criminal Investigation (CID) agent. He enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved working in his yard, gardening, fishing, and watching sports.  Above all, he enjoyed attending church and church activities with his family and friends.  He was a faithful member of Briarwood Drive Baptist Church until it closed and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Madison until he was called home to be with the Lord.

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in November 2017. Shortly after his diagnosis he had brain surgery, received radiation and chemotherapy which left him unable to attend church.   He set the goal of being able to one day return to his church.  When he finally obtained that goal he was very appreciative of his friends that waited for him faithfully every Sunday as he arrived. They made sure to save him a place for a wheel chair next to his wife and friends each week for the last 12 weeks of his life.  Even after returning to St. Dominic’s, he watched the service via live stream provided by FBCM each week.  The day he was informed that his tumor had begun to grow again, he sang the hymn “When we all get to Heaven” in his room and wanted his wife to join in with him. He obtained his goal and was faithful until the end.  He said he would return to church, and he did! 

Joe is preceded in passing by his parents Sim Alford and Beulah Burnside Alford and, one sister, Francis Bozeman.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Dorothy “Dot” Alford of Jackson, Ms., two daughters, Gale Pell (Larry) of Madison Ms. and Barbara Kastner (Joseph) of Madison, Ms., brother Sammy “Sam” Perkins of GA., five grandchildren Phillip Fancher (Amy), Matthew Fancher (Katie), Rachel Chesnut (Lee), Danielle Kastner and Joshua “Josh” Kastner., and six great grandchildren Kayleigh Fancher, Danny Fancher, Garrett Fancher, Gunner Chesnut, Mckenna Fancher, and Adleigh Chestnut.

Brother Ronnie Falvey will officiate the service.