David Crawley Alford, 77, a Standing Pine farmer and longtime Leake County Supervisor, died Tuesday [February 11] at St. Dominic Hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randolph Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Standing Pine Cemetery.
Mr. Alford served seven terms as District Five Supervisor, serving as Board President many of those years. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a graduate of East Central Community College and was later honored as Alumnus of the Year.
Survivors include his wife, Maude W. Alford; four daughters, Renodda Dorman, Patricia Cumberland, and Benita Chamblee, all of Carthage, and Martha Alford of Jackson; a brother, Liggie Alford, Carthage; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The name of David Crawley Alford will forever be etched in the political history of Leake County. During his 77 years in our midst, he made an impact of honorable leadership that few attain.
Few knew him as Mr. Alford. He answered to Crawley to most folks, and Mr. Crawley in some cases. He was best known as a member of the Leake County Board of Supervisors, representing District Five on that county governing body for seven consecutive terms. During these 28 years, he served as board president much of the time. He wore the mantle with dignity, honor, and assurance.
He was held in high regard by those who served on the county board with him, who found him to be a man of his word, a man who made no promises he couldn't keep, and always put the needs of his people first.
Crawley Alford was considered by many to be, by far, the wisest public official county government ever had.
A product of Standing Pine, Crawley grew up on his father's farm and became a farmer on his own in manhood, raising cattle, poultry, and farm products throughout his life. He attended and graduated from Walnut Grove High School, before enrolling at Mississippi State. The MSU campus was too big for Crawley's taste. He lasted only a week, before coming home and enrolling at East Central Junior College.
In later years, he was to receive one of the College's highest honors in being named Alumnus of the Year
His college years ended during World War II, when he joined the U. S. Army and saw overseas duty. When the war was won, he returned to Standing Pine and farm life. It was the place he loved best. Without the encouragement of friends to enter politics, he probably would have been content to remain just a farmer.
But he answered the call to serve his fellow man. Although he shunned the spotlight, he was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding political leaders this county has ever known. His quiet demeanor let you know that he never forgot where he came from nor who he represented.
Crawley Alford stood tall in responsible leadership to the office he held and to this county. He was a legend in his time. MTD
---------------------------
When Crawley was born, his father, his grandfather, and his Uncle Egbert were all in jail, awaiting trial for murder. During the Christmas holidays of 1918, the three of them got into an altercation with a local Choctaw Indian (there is a Standing Pine Reservation) named Finklea Ben. I have heard conflicting stories about the cause of the altercation—one over gambling, the other because Ben kicked their dog—but they killed him, brutally. I found several articles in The Carthaginian about the trial, but the issues from the time of the crime are lost. The trial records were also lost in a fire in the 1970s. Anyway, Crawley was born while they were waiting trial.
In the summer term, their lawyers petitioned for severance, which was granted, and the trials were continued to the fall. In the November term, Crawley's father, John McLurin Alford, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, and was sentenced to seven years, but his father, David Edward Alford, and his uncle Egbert Alford stood trial and were convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. Egbert had been released from jail before trial, supposedly on account of poor health, and I can't honestly determine that he ever served any time other than the months pretrial. Uncle John (we refer to him that way because his wife was my wife Pat's great aunt) was pardoned by the governor in 1921. Dave was pardoned a few month's later. Pat's cousin has the original letter pardoning Uncle John.
I had always assumed that David Crawley was named for his grandfather. Surprise! Uncle John's lawyer, who got him the reduced charge, shorter sentence, and pardon within two years, was a local barrister, David Crawley!! His descendents still have a firm in Louisville. Interesting enough, throughout 1920, when Uncle John's notice of petition for pardon appeared in The Carthaginian, David Crawley would have a small ad for his firm next to the petition. Over and over, I found that.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randolph Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Standing Pine Cemetery.
Mr. Alford served seven terms as District Five Supervisor, serving as Board President many of those years. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a graduate of East Central Community College and was later honored as Alumnus of the Year.
Survivors include his wife, Maude W. Alford; four daughters, Renodda Dorman, Patricia Cumberland, and Benita Chamblee, all of Carthage, and Martha Alford of Jackson; a brother, Liggie Alford, Carthage; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The name of David Crawley Alford will forever be etched in the political history of Leake County. During his 77 years in our midst, he made an impact of honorable leadership that few attain.
Few knew him as Mr. Alford. He answered to Crawley to most folks, and Mr. Crawley in some cases. He was best known as a member of the Leake County Board of Supervisors, representing District Five on that county governing body for seven consecutive terms. During these 28 years, he served as board president much of the time. He wore the mantle with dignity, honor, and assurance.
He was held in high regard by those who served on the county board with him, who found him to be a man of his word, a man who made no promises he couldn't keep, and always put the needs of his people first.
Crawley Alford was considered by many to be, by far, the wisest public official county government ever had.
A product of Standing Pine, Crawley grew up on his father's farm and became a farmer on his own in manhood, raising cattle, poultry, and farm products throughout his life. He attended and graduated from Walnut Grove High School, before enrolling at Mississippi State. The MSU campus was too big for Crawley's taste. He lasted only a week, before coming home and enrolling at East Central Junior College.
In later years, he was to receive one of the College's highest honors in being named Alumnus of the Year
His college years ended during World War II, when he joined the U. S. Army and saw overseas duty. When the war was won, he returned to Standing Pine and farm life. It was the place he loved best. Without the encouragement of friends to enter politics, he probably would have been content to remain just a farmer.
But he answered the call to serve his fellow man. Although he shunned the spotlight, he was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding political leaders this county has ever known. His quiet demeanor let you know that he never forgot where he came from nor who he represented.
Crawley Alford stood tall in responsible leadership to the office he held and to this county. He was a legend in his time. MTD
---------------------------
When Crawley was born, his father, his grandfather, and his Uncle Egbert were all in jail, awaiting trial for murder. During the Christmas holidays of 1918, the three of them got into an altercation with a local Choctaw Indian (there is a Standing Pine Reservation) named Finklea Ben. I have heard conflicting stories about the cause of the altercation—one over gambling, the other because Ben kicked their dog—but they killed him, brutally. I found several articles in The Carthaginian about the trial, but the issues from the time of the crime are lost. The trial records were also lost in a fire in the 1970s. Anyway, Crawley was born while they were waiting trial.
In the summer term, their lawyers petitioned for severance, which was granted, and the trials were continued to the fall. In the November term, Crawley's father, John McLurin Alford, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, and was sentenced to seven years, but his father, David Edward Alford, and his uncle Egbert Alford stood trial and were convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. Egbert had been released from jail before trial, supposedly on account of poor health, and I can't honestly determine that he ever served any time other than the months pretrial. Uncle John (we refer to him that way because his wife was my wife Pat's great aunt) was pardoned by the governor in 1921. Dave was pardoned a few month's later. Pat's cousin has the original letter pardoning Uncle John.
I had always assumed that David Crawley was named for his grandfather. Surprise! Uncle John's lawyer, who got him the reduced charge, shorter sentence, and pardon within two years, was a local barrister, David Crawley!! His descendents still have a firm in Louisville. Interesting enough, throughout 1920, when Uncle John's notice of petition for pardon appeared in The Carthaginian, David Crawley would have a small ad for his firm next to the petition. Over and over, I found that.
David Crawley Alford, 77, a Standing Pine farmer and longtime Leake County Supervisor, died Tuesday [February 11] at St. Dominic Hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randolph Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Standing Pine Cemetery.
Mr. Alford served seven terms as District Five Supervisor, serving as Board President many of those years. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a graduate of East Central Community College and was later honored as Alumnus of the Year.
Survivors include his wife, Maude W. Alford; four daughters, Renodda Dorman, Patricia Cumberland, and Benita Chamblee, all of Carthage, and Martha Alford of Jackson; a brother, Liggie Alford, Carthage; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The name of David Crawley Alford will forever be etched in the political history of Leake County. During his 77 years in our midst, he made an impact of honorable leadership that few attain.
Few knew him as Mr. Alford. He answered to Crawley to most folks, and Mr. Crawley in some cases. He was best known as a member of the Leake County Board of Supervisors, representing District Five on that county governing body for seven consecutive terms. During these 28 years, he served as board president much of the time. He wore the mantle with dignity, honor, and assurance.
He was held in high regard by those who served on the county board with him, who found him to be a man of his word, a man who made no promises he couldn't keep, and always put the needs of his people first.
Crawley Alford was considered by many to be, by far, the wisest public official county government ever had.
A product of Standing Pine, Crawley grew up on his father's farm and became a farmer on his own in manhood, raising cattle, poultry, and farm products throughout his life. He attended and graduated from Walnut Grove High School, before enrolling at Mississippi State. The MSU campus was too big for Crawley's taste. He lasted only a week, before coming home and enrolling at East Central Junior College.
In later years, he was to receive one of the College's highest honors in being named Alumnus of the Year
His college years ended during World War II, when he joined the U. S. Army and saw overseas duty. When the war was won, he returned to Standing Pine and farm life. It was the place he loved best. Without the encouragement of friends to enter politics, he probably would have been content to remain just a farmer.
But he answered the call to serve his fellow man. Although he shunned the spotlight, he was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding political leaders this county has ever known. His quiet demeanor let you know that he never forgot where he came from nor who he represented.
Crawley Alford stood tall in responsible leadership to the office he held and to this county. He was a legend in his time. MTD
---------------------------
When Crawley was born, his father, his grandfather, and his Uncle Egbert were all in jail, awaiting trial for murder. During the Christmas holidays of 1918, the three of them got into an altercation with a local Choctaw Indian (there is a Standing Pine Reservation) named Finklea Ben. I have heard conflicting stories about the cause of the altercation—one over gambling, the other because Ben kicked their dog—but they killed him, brutally. I found several articles in The Carthaginian about the trial, but the issues from the time of the crime are lost. The trial records were also lost in a fire in the 1970s. Anyway, Crawley was born while they were waiting trial.
In the summer term, their lawyers petitioned for severance, which was granted, and the trials were continued to the fall. In the November term, Crawley's father, John McLurin Alford, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, and was sentenced to seven years, but his father, David Edward Alford, and his uncle Egbert Alford stood trial and were convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. Egbert had been released from jail before trial, supposedly on account of poor health, and I can't honestly determine that he ever served any time other than the months pretrial. Uncle John (we refer to him that way because his wife was my wife Pat's great aunt) was pardoned by the governor in 1921. Dave was pardoned a few month's later. Pat's cousin has the original letter pardoning Uncle John.
I had always assumed that David Crawley was named for his grandfather. Surprise! Uncle John's lawyer, who got him the reduced charge, shorter sentence, and pardon within two years, was a local barrister, David Crawley!! His descendents still have a firm in Louisville. Interesting enough, throughout 1920, when Uncle John's notice of petition for pardon appeared in The Carthaginian, David Crawley would have a small ad for his firm next to the petition. Over and over, I found that.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randolph Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Standing Pine Cemetery.
Mr. Alford served seven terms as District Five Supervisor, serving as Board President many of those years. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a graduate of East Central Community College and was later honored as Alumnus of the Year.
Survivors include his wife, Maude W. Alford; four daughters, Renodda Dorman, Patricia Cumberland, and Benita Chamblee, all of Carthage, and Martha Alford of Jackson; a brother, Liggie Alford, Carthage; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The name of David Crawley Alford will forever be etched in the political history of Leake County. During his 77 years in our midst, he made an impact of honorable leadership that few attain.
Few knew him as Mr. Alford. He answered to Crawley to most folks, and Mr. Crawley in some cases. He was best known as a member of the Leake County Board of Supervisors, representing District Five on that county governing body for seven consecutive terms. During these 28 years, he served as board president much of the time. He wore the mantle with dignity, honor, and assurance.
He was held in high regard by those who served on the county board with him, who found him to be a man of his word, a man who made no promises he couldn't keep, and always put the needs of his people first.
Crawley Alford was considered by many to be, by far, the wisest public official county government ever had.
A product of Standing Pine, Crawley grew up on his father's farm and became a farmer on his own in manhood, raising cattle, poultry, and farm products throughout his life. He attended and graduated from Walnut Grove High School, before enrolling at Mississippi State. The MSU campus was too big for Crawley's taste. He lasted only a week, before coming home and enrolling at East Central Junior College.
In later years, he was to receive one of the College's highest honors in being named Alumnus of the Year
His college years ended during World War II, when he joined the U. S. Army and saw overseas duty. When the war was won, he returned to Standing Pine and farm life. It was the place he loved best. Without the encouragement of friends to enter politics, he probably would have been content to remain just a farmer.
But he answered the call to serve his fellow man. Although he shunned the spotlight, he was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding political leaders this county has ever known. His quiet demeanor let you know that he never forgot where he came from nor who he represented.
Crawley Alford stood tall in responsible leadership to the office he held and to this county. He was a legend in his time. MTD
---------------------------
When Crawley was born, his father, his grandfather, and his Uncle Egbert were all in jail, awaiting trial for murder. During the Christmas holidays of 1918, the three of them got into an altercation with a local Choctaw Indian (there is a Standing Pine Reservation) named Finklea Ben. I have heard conflicting stories about the cause of the altercation—one over gambling, the other because Ben kicked their dog—but they killed him, brutally. I found several articles in The Carthaginian about the trial, but the issues from the time of the crime are lost. The trial records were also lost in a fire in the 1970s. Anyway, Crawley was born while they were waiting trial.
In the summer term, their lawyers petitioned for severance, which was granted, and the trials were continued to the fall. In the November term, Crawley's father, John McLurin Alford, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, and was sentenced to seven years, but his father, David Edward Alford, and his uncle Egbert Alford stood trial and were convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. Egbert had been released from jail before trial, supposedly on account of poor health, and I can't honestly determine that he ever served any time other than the months pretrial. Uncle John (we refer to him that way because his wife was my wife Pat's great aunt) was pardoned by the governor in 1921. Dave was pardoned a few month's later. Pat's cousin has the original letter pardoning Uncle John.
I had always assumed that David Crawley was named for his grandfather. Surprise! Uncle John's lawyer, who got him the reduced charge, shorter sentence, and pardon within two years, was a local barrister, David Crawley!! His descendents still have a firm in Louisville. Interesting enough, throughout 1920, when Uncle John's notice of petition for pardon appeared in The Carthaginian, David Crawley would have a small ad for his firm next to the petition. Over and over, I found that.
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