Elco Alford
Posted: Friday, March 6, 2015 9:58 pm
Bro. Elco Alford of Adel, Ga., departed his earthly life for his heavenly reward at home on his farm, surrounded by family, in Adel, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. He was born on Jan. 30, 1922 to George and Eula Roberts Alford in Hahira, Ga. His maternal grandparents were Isom and Angie Roberts, and his paternal grandfather was Ben Alford, the patriarch of the Ben Alford Family Union. Bro. Elco only had a short time with his birth mother, Eula, as she died when he was 3 years of age. However, he was loved and raised by his father’s second wife, Daisy. Bro. Alford enjoyed the love and company of 10 brothers and two sisters, but was especially close with his immediate older brother, Elmo Alford.
Bro. Alford was educated at the County Line Church School, and at the age of 15, accepted Christ and joined the County Line AME Church in Cecil, Ga. Around that time, his father, George offered him and his brothers for hire as wage hands at the rate of $12 a month and Bro. Elco decided to leave home to make a life for himself. He moved to Belleglade, Fla., initially to work on a farm in the area. He was remembered saying, “They had mules there and they had plows there...”, meaning he’d left home for a situation that was no different than the one he’d left.
Later, he migrated further south to Hallandale, Fla., to work construction, joining his brothers that were already living in the area. Then he went to Starke, Fla., and worked at Camp Blanding for a time. While away, his girlfriend at the time issued a curt directive: either come home, or prepare for her to come to him. Bro. Alford eventually returned home, and married the girlfriend, his sweetheart, and wife of 60 years, Pearline Walker Alford. The union produced four daughters: Laverne Louise, Mary Jane, Mae Ellen, and Helen Jewel.
Bro. Elco worked as a master concrete finisher, laying runways and constructing buildings at Moody Field (Moody Air Force Base) near Valdosta, Ga., and Ft. Rucker Army Base in Ozark, Ala. While holding a full time job, he supplemented his income with cutting timber and sharecropping. In 1955, Bro. Alford purchased his first farm of 103 acres. The cost was $16,000 and while he attempted to borrow the money, he was denied the loan. He made an arrangement with the owner, who graciously allowed him to gradually pay off the farm. Bro. Elco made a down payment of $3,000, and paid off the purchase within 5 years.
Mr. Alford was also an experienced home builder. After the home he and his family lived in burned down in 1963, he built a new home without a floor plan, with assistance from men in the community. He often spoke with great appreciation for the help he received, saying that all he needed to contract out was the plumbing and electricity. Over the years, he received many of his nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to work alongside him on his farm. Using his actions as an example, he instructed them in the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. He was the last remaining black farmer in Cook County and remained in the home he built until his death.
In 1946, Bro. Elco joined the Blazing Star Lodge #184 and served as the Worshipful Master of the Prince Hall Masons Blue Lodge for 35 years. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Arch, Knights of Templar, and Consistory, and was a Shriner. He was also a charter member of Ossipe Temple No. 65. and served as a treasurer. Bro. Elco was honored in 2009 by Valdosta Masonic District #9 for his long standing service. He was a member of Concerned Black Citizens, a member of the Ebony Club, and served on the Area Planning Commission for nine counties. Bro. Alford was an appointed advisor to the Cook County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee and was honored by the Adel Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for 15 years of service. He laid the cornerstone at County Line AME Church and served for many years as a Steward, Trustee, and Sunday School Teacher. He also served 40 years as the president of the County Line District (Home Base) of the Ben Alford Family Union.
In 1953, Bro. Alford received the call to go to Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington. He drove to the home of his brother, Clifford, in New Jersey, and then boarded a bus along with him to the March. He often spoke of the experience, and was proud to have been located near the front, (in a tree, close to Dr. King) when the “I Have a Dream” speech was given. In 2011, Mr. Alford returned to Washington, D.C. to attend the induction of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
In the year 2000, Mr. Alford retired from public work, after serving on various boards including the Farmers Home Administration, ASCS, and FSA County Committee. In 2005, he retired from farming. Following the death of his first wife, Pearline, he remarried in 2006, to Min. Cora Pearl Griffith Alford. During his 85th birthday celebration, he was honored by the State of Georgia House of Representatives with Resolution 1146, commending him for his years of community service and being a long-standing black farmer in Cook County. He was also honored by the Cook County Board of Commissioners with the establishment of the Elco Alford Community of Excellence, where many families have built homes today.
Bro. Alford was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eula; his step mother, Daisy; wife of 60 years, Pearline and his wife of 5 years, Cora Pearl; three of his daughters, Helen Jewel, Laverne Lousie, and Mae Ellen; brothers, Ralph, Homer, Willie, Vernon, H.B., Earnest, Elijah, Elmo, and a sister, Annie Bell.
Posted: Friday, March 6, 2015 9:58 pm
Bro. Elco Alford of Adel, Ga., departed his earthly life for his heavenly reward at home on his farm, surrounded by family, in Adel, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. He was born on Jan. 30, 1922 to George and Eula Roberts Alford in Hahira, Ga. His maternal grandparents were Isom and Angie Roberts, and his paternal grandfather was Ben Alford, the patriarch of the Ben Alford Family Union. Bro. Elco only had a short time with his birth mother, Eula, as she died when he was 3 years of age. However, he was loved and raised by his father’s second wife, Daisy. Bro. Alford enjoyed the love and company of 10 brothers and two sisters, but was especially close with his immediate older brother, Elmo Alford.
Bro. Alford was educated at the County Line Church School, and at the age of 15, accepted Christ and joined the County Line AME Church in Cecil, Ga. Around that time, his father, George offered him and his brothers for hire as wage hands at the rate of $12 a month and Bro. Elco decided to leave home to make a life for himself. He moved to Belleglade, Fla., initially to work on a farm in the area. He was remembered saying, “They had mules there and they had plows there...”, meaning he’d left home for a situation that was no different than the one he’d left.
Later, he migrated further south to Hallandale, Fla., to work construction, joining his brothers that were already living in the area. Then he went to Starke, Fla., and worked at Camp Blanding for a time. While away, his girlfriend at the time issued a curt directive: either come home, or prepare for her to come to him. Bro. Alford eventually returned home, and married the girlfriend, his sweetheart, and wife of 60 years, Pearline Walker Alford. The union produced four daughters: Laverne Louise, Mary Jane, Mae Ellen, and Helen Jewel.
Bro. Elco worked as a master concrete finisher, laying runways and constructing buildings at Moody Field (Moody Air Force Base) near Valdosta, Ga., and Ft. Rucker Army Base in Ozark, Ala. While holding a full time job, he supplemented his income with cutting timber and sharecropping. In 1955, Bro. Alford purchased his first farm of 103 acres. The cost was $16,000 and while he attempted to borrow the money, he was denied the loan. He made an arrangement with the owner, who graciously allowed him to gradually pay off the farm. Bro. Elco made a down payment of $3,000, and paid off the purchase within 5 years.
Mr. Alford was also an experienced home builder. After the home he and his family lived in burned down in 1963, he built a new home without a floor plan, with assistance from men in the community. He often spoke with great appreciation for the help he received, saying that all he needed to contract out was the plumbing and electricity. Over the years, he received many of his nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to work alongside him on his farm. Using his actions as an example, he instructed them in the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. He was the last remaining black farmer in Cook County and remained in the home he built until his death.
In 1946, Bro. Elco joined the Blazing Star Lodge #184 and served as the Worshipful Master of the Prince Hall Masons Blue Lodge for 35 years. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Arch, Knights of Templar, and Consistory, and was a Shriner. He was also a charter member of Ossipe Temple No. 65. and served as a treasurer. Bro. Elco was honored in 2009 by Valdosta Masonic District #9 for his long standing service. He was a member of Concerned Black Citizens, a member of the Ebony Club, and served on the Area Planning Commission for nine counties. Bro. Alford was an appointed advisor to the Cook County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee and was honored by the Adel Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for 15 years of service. He laid the cornerstone at County Line AME Church and served for many years as a Steward, Trustee, and Sunday School Teacher. He also served 40 years as the president of the County Line District (Home Base) of the Ben Alford Family Union.
In 1953, Bro. Alford received the call to go to Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington. He drove to the home of his brother, Clifford, in New Jersey, and then boarded a bus along with him to the March. He often spoke of the experience, and was proud to have been located near the front, (in a tree, close to Dr. King) when the “I Have a Dream” speech was given. In 2011, Mr. Alford returned to Washington, D.C. to attend the induction of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
In the year 2000, Mr. Alford retired from public work, after serving on various boards including the Farmers Home Administration, ASCS, and FSA County Committee. In 2005, he retired from farming. Following the death of his first wife, Pearline, he remarried in 2006, to Min. Cora Pearl Griffith Alford. During his 85th birthday celebration, he was honored by the State of Georgia House of Representatives with Resolution 1146, commending him for his years of community service and being a long-standing black farmer in Cook County. He was also honored by the Cook County Board of Commissioners with the establishment of the Elco Alford Community of Excellence, where many families have built homes today.
Bro. Alford was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eula; his step mother, Daisy; wife of 60 years, Pearline and his wife of 5 years, Cora Pearl; three of his daughters, Helen Jewel, Laverne Lousie, and Mae Ellen; brothers, Ralph, Homer, Willie, Vernon, H.B., Earnest, Elijah, Elmo, and a sister, Annie Bell.
Elco Alford
Posted: Friday, March 6, 2015 9:58 pm
Bro. Elco Alford of Adel, Ga., departed his earthly life for his heavenly reward at home on his farm, surrounded by family, in Adel, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. He was born on Jan. 30, 1922 to George and Eula Roberts Alford in Hahira, Ga. His maternal grandparents were Isom and Angie Roberts, and his paternal grandfather was Ben Alford, the patriarch of the Ben Alford Family Union. Bro. Elco only had a short time with his birth mother, Eula, as she died when he was 3 years of age. However, he was loved and raised by his father’s second wife, Daisy. Bro. Alford enjoyed the love and company of 10 brothers and two sisters, but was especially close with his immediate older brother, Elmo Alford.
Bro. Alford was educated at the County Line Church School, and at the age of 15, accepted Christ and joined the County Line AME Church in Cecil, Ga. Around that time, his father, George offered him and his brothers for hire as wage hands at the rate of $12 a month and Bro. Elco decided to leave home to make a life for himself. He moved to Belleglade, Fla., initially to work on a farm in the area. He was remembered saying, “They had mules there and they had plows there...”, meaning he’d left home for a situation that was no different than the one he’d left.
Later, he migrated further south to Hallandale, Fla., to work construction, joining his brothers that were already living in the area. Then he went to Starke, Fla., and worked at Camp Blanding for a time. While away, his girlfriend at the time issued a curt directive: either come home, or prepare for her to come to him. Bro. Alford eventually returned home, and married the girlfriend, his sweetheart, and wife of 60 years, Pearline Walker Alford. The union produced four daughters: Laverne Louise, Mary Jane, Mae Ellen, and Helen Jewel.
Bro. Elco worked as a master concrete finisher, laying runways and constructing buildings at Moody Field (Moody Air Force Base) near Valdosta, Ga., and Ft. Rucker Army Base in Ozark, Ala. While holding a full time job, he supplemented his income with cutting timber and sharecropping. In 1955, Bro. Alford purchased his first farm of 103 acres. The cost was $16,000 and while he attempted to borrow the money, he was denied the loan. He made an arrangement with the owner, who graciously allowed him to gradually pay off the farm. Bro. Elco made a down payment of $3,000, and paid off the purchase within 5 years.
Mr. Alford was also an experienced home builder. After the home he and his family lived in burned down in 1963, he built a new home without a floor plan, with assistance from men in the community. He often spoke with great appreciation for the help he received, saying that all he needed to contract out was the plumbing and electricity. Over the years, he received many of his nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to work alongside him on his farm. Using his actions as an example, he instructed them in the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. He was the last remaining black farmer in Cook County and remained in the home he built until his death.
In 1946, Bro. Elco joined the Blazing Star Lodge #184 and served as the Worshipful Master of the Prince Hall Masons Blue Lodge for 35 years. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Arch, Knights of Templar, and Consistory, and was a Shriner. He was also a charter member of Ossipe Temple No. 65. and served as a treasurer. Bro. Elco was honored in 2009 by Valdosta Masonic District #9 for his long standing service. He was a member of Concerned Black Citizens, a member of the Ebony Club, and served on the Area Planning Commission for nine counties. Bro. Alford was an appointed advisor to the Cook County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee and was honored by the Adel Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for 15 years of service. He laid the cornerstone at County Line AME Church and served for many years as a Steward, Trustee, and Sunday School Teacher. He also served 40 years as the president of the County Line District (Home Base) of the Ben Alford Family Union.
In 1953, Bro. Alford received the call to go to Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington. He drove to the home of his brother, Clifford, in New Jersey, and then boarded a bus along with him to the March. He often spoke of the experience, and was proud to have been located near the front, (in a tree, close to Dr. King) when the “I Have a Dream” speech was given. In 2011, Mr. Alford returned to Washington, D.C. to attend the induction of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
In the year 2000, Mr. Alford retired from public work, after serving on various boards including the Farmers Home Administration, ASCS, and FSA County Committee. In 2005, he retired from farming. Following the death of his first wife, Pearline, he remarried in 2006, to Min. Cora Pearl Griffith Alford. During his 85th birthday celebration, he was honored by the State of Georgia House of Representatives with Resolution 1146, commending him for his years of community service and being a long-standing black farmer in Cook County. He was also honored by the Cook County Board of Commissioners with the establishment of the Elco Alford Community of Excellence, where many families have built homes today.
Bro. Alford was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eula; his step mother, Daisy; wife of 60 years, Pearline and his wife of 5 years, Cora Pearl; three of his daughters, Helen Jewel, Laverne Lousie, and Mae Ellen; brothers, Ralph, Homer, Willie, Vernon, H.B., Earnest, Elijah, Elmo, and a sister, Annie Bell.
Posted: Friday, March 6, 2015 9:58 pm
Bro. Elco Alford of Adel, Ga., departed his earthly life for his heavenly reward at home on his farm, surrounded by family, in Adel, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. He was born on Jan. 30, 1922 to George and Eula Roberts Alford in Hahira, Ga. His maternal grandparents were Isom and Angie Roberts, and his paternal grandfather was Ben Alford, the patriarch of the Ben Alford Family Union. Bro. Elco only had a short time with his birth mother, Eula, as she died when he was 3 years of age. However, he was loved and raised by his father’s second wife, Daisy. Bro. Alford enjoyed the love and company of 10 brothers and two sisters, but was especially close with his immediate older brother, Elmo Alford.
Bro. Alford was educated at the County Line Church School, and at the age of 15, accepted Christ and joined the County Line AME Church in Cecil, Ga. Around that time, his father, George offered him and his brothers for hire as wage hands at the rate of $12 a month and Bro. Elco decided to leave home to make a life for himself. He moved to Belleglade, Fla., initially to work on a farm in the area. He was remembered saying, “They had mules there and they had plows there...”, meaning he’d left home for a situation that was no different than the one he’d left.
Later, he migrated further south to Hallandale, Fla., to work construction, joining his brothers that were already living in the area. Then he went to Starke, Fla., and worked at Camp Blanding for a time. While away, his girlfriend at the time issued a curt directive: either come home, or prepare for her to come to him. Bro. Alford eventually returned home, and married the girlfriend, his sweetheart, and wife of 60 years, Pearline Walker Alford. The union produced four daughters: Laverne Louise, Mary Jane, Mae Ellen, and Helen Jewel.
Bro. Elco worked as a master concrete finisher, laying runways and constructing buildings at Moody Field (Moody Air Force Base) near Valdosta, Ga., and Ft. Rucker Army Base in Ozark, Ala. While holding a full time job, he supplemented his income with cutting timber and sharecropping. In 1955, Bro. Alford purchased his first farm of 103 acres. The cost was $16,000 and while he attempted to borrow the money, he was denied the loan. He made an arrangement with the owner, who graciously allowed him to gradually pay off the farm. Bro. Elco made a down payment of $3,000, and paid off the purchase within 5 years.
Mr. Alford was also an experienced home builder. After the home he and his family lived in burned down in 1963, he built a new home without a floor plan, with assistance from men in the community. He often spoke with great appreciation for the help he received, saying that all he needed to contract out was the plumbing and electricity. Over the years, he received many of his nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to work alongside him on his farm. Using his actions as an example, he instructed them in the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. He was the last remaining black farmer in Cook County and remained in the home he built until his death.
In 1946, Bro. Elco joined the Blazing Star Lodge #184 and served as the Worshipful Master of the Prince Hall Masons Blue Lodge for 35 years. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Arch, Knights of Templar, and Consistory, and was a Shriner. He was also a charter member of Ossipe Temple No. 65. and served as a treasurer. Bro. Elco was honored in 2009 by Valdosta Masonic District #9 for his long standing service. He was a member of Concerned Black Citizens, a member of the Ebony Club, and served on the Area Planning Commission for nine counties. Bro. Alford was an appointed advisor to the Cook County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee and was honored by the Adel Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for 15 years of service. He laid the cornerstone at County Line AME Church and served for many years as a Steward, Trustee, and Sunday School Teacher. He also served 40 years as the president of the County Line District (Home Base) of the Ben Alford Family Union.
In 1953, Bro. Alford received the call to go to Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington. He drove to the home of his brother, Clifford, in New Jersey, and then boarded a bus along with him to the March. He often spoke of the experience, and was proud to have been located near the front, (in a tree, close to Dr. King) when the “I Have a Dream” speech was given. In 2011, Mr. Alford returned to Washington, D.C. to attend the induction of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
In the year 2000, Mr. Alford retired from public work, after serving on various boards including the Farmers Home Administration, ASCS, and FSA County Committee. In 2005, he retired from farming. Following the death of his first wife, Pearline, he remarried in 2006, to Min. Cora Pearl Griffith Alford. During his 85th birthday celebration, he was honored by the State of Georgia House of Representatives with Resolution 1146, commending him for his years of community service and being a long-standing black farmer in Cook County. He was also honored by the Cook County Board of Commissioners with the establishment of the Elco Alford Community of Excellence, where many families have built homes today.
Bro. Alford was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eula; his step mother, Daisy; wife of 60 years, Pearline and his wife of 5 years, Cora Pearl; three of his daughters, Helen Jewel, Laverne Lousie, and Mae Ellen; brothers, Ralph, Homer, Willie, Vernon, H.B., Earnest, Elijah, Elmo, and a sister, Annie Bell.
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