MARSHALL EDWARD ALFORD

AAFA #0173

1930–2010

BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Brownsville, Cameron Co., TX—Sunday, 4 July 2010

            Marshall Edward Alford was born on January 25, 1930 to Buster and Daisy Alford in Waco [McLennan Co.], Texas. He passed away on June 24, 2010.

            Marshall was a 1948 graduate of Brownsville High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. He was All District and Honorable Mention All State in football, playing quarterback and fullback.

            He is still remembered for his booming left-footed punts that would sail over the lights at old Tucker Field. He earned a football scholarship to Baylor University and was a member of the team that played in the Orange Bowl in 1952. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and then went on to attend Southwestern Theological Seminary. Marshall later earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration at East Texas State University.

            His entire career as dedicated to education as he was an accomplished teacher and counselor. He was a teacher/coach in the Mesquite Independent School District for several years and later in the Dallas School District. In 1967 he went to work as a career counselor at El Centro, one of the Colleges in the Dallas Community College System.

            He retired in 1989 due to a severe liver ailment. He received a successful liver transplant in 1990.

            Marshall was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mesquite, where he was a teacher of the Faith and Life Sunday School Class. He had invited Jesus Christ into his heart as a teenager in Brownsville, Texas and was a committed Christian the remainder of this life. He loved to sing and was a member of the Golden Aires, a seniors singing group that is active in bringing music to various venues in the Dallas County area.

            Marshall is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sara; daughter, Melody McKee (David); son, Craig Alford (Jamie); grandchildren, Brooke Benefield (Brian); Zach McKee (Sara), Quinn McKee, Tanner Alford, Brantley Alford and great grandchildren, Allie Grace Benefield and Berkley Benefield.

            He is also survived by his brother, Jim Alford (Glenda) [AAFA #0202] and thirteen grandnieces grandnephews.

            Visitation of family and friends was held at Hew Hope Funeral Home between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday evening on June 28, 2010.

            Burial was at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday June 29, 2010 with a private family gathering.

            He is buried in Lee Cemetery in Seagoville, Texas.

            A Celebration of Life was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday June 29 2010 in the First Presbyterian Church in Mesquite, Texas with Rev. Jim Sheppard officiating.

            Friends and family wore colorful attire to honor Marshall’s love of flowers. Many shared stores of Marshall’s influence on their lives.

            The arrangements were handled by New Hope Funeral Home, in Sunnyvale, Texas.

            To express thoughts and comments click on the New Hope guest book icon at www.hopefh.com.

In another article:

New Hope Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens

Sunnyvale, Dallas Co., TX—_____ June 2010

            Marshall Edward Alford was born on January 25, 1930 to Buster and Daisy Alford in Waco [McLennan Co.], Texas. He passed away on June 24, 2010.

            Marshall is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sara; daughter, Melody McKee and husband David; son, Craig Alford and wife Jaime; grandchildren, Brooke Benefield and husband Brian; Zach McKee and wife Sarah, Quinn McKee, Tanner Alford, and Brantley Alford and great grandchildren, Allie Grace Benefield and Berkley Benefield. Also survived by brother, Jim Alford and wife Glenda and a host of nieces and nephews.

            Beginning in his youth, Marshall learned the values of hard work, determination, and effort. He achieved many honors during his high school years in Brownsville, TX. Excelling as an athlete, he lettered 2 years in Track, 3 years in Basketball, and 4 years in Football. He was selected as All District for 2 years and was also selected as Honorable Mention All State. High school coach Bob Martin, who also coached Tom Landry, was a role model and mentor throughout. Marshall’s football career continued after earning a 4 year scholarship to play football at Baylor University. A special ceremony held in October of 2007, honored members of the 1952 Baylor football team. Players were recognized for their outstanding season which earned them a trip to the Orange Bowl and each received an Official Orange Bowl ring. As a member of Baylor Alumni Association and Baylor Lettermen’s Association he and his wife have attended many homecomings, reunions and other special events at Baylor. Waco Hall, which also turned 80 this year, was where Marshall proposed to Sara. Their anniversary on June 30th represents 59 years of faithfulness and dedication to each other.

            Upon graduation, Marshall attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as East Texas State University where he earned his Masters of Education and completed many hours toward his Doctorate. His earliest career days were spent as pastor of Gober Baptist Church. The opportunity arose for the young Alford family to return to Mesquite. For the remaining years of his career he worked as teacher, coach, and counselor in MISD, DISD and DCCCD respectively.

            Despite Marshall’s dedication to nutrition and health he was stricken with liver disease in 1990. Faith in God and a team of outstanding physicians provided him with a new beginning. He was the 432nd recipient of a liver transplant at Baylor Hospital of Dallas. The Alford family is grateful for Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Klintmalm of the transplant team, as well as Dr. Polter, Dr. Muncy, Dr. Sklar, Dr. Williams, Dr. Godfrey and Dr. Stuart who provided exceptional medical attention in their various fields during the past 20 years. Because the family has been blessed in sharing additional years with Marshall, they wish to encourage others to become donors. As Marshall described the transplant in his own words, “It gave me a new life and outlook”. The past 20 years have been filled with numerous activities including grandchildren, great-grandchildren, worldly travels and the opportunity to touch more lives.

            As member of First Presbyterian Church of Mesquite, Marshall served as Deacon, sang in the choir, taught an adult Sunday School class, served as Director of the Goldenaires and regulary attended the Wednesday morning prayer group.

            Other hobbies included weight training, reading, writing and gardening. His long sleeved plaid shirt and hat became an icon of the neighborhood as he watered the flowers daily.

            Marshall, No. 23, All-Star, Captain, Dad, Daddy, Uncle Marshall, Granddaddy, Granddad are how he is known to his family and friends. No matter which name is chosen, gentleness, kindness, and a genuine sense of caring are words to describe him. Those who knew Marshall have truly been blessed by his presence. There is peace in knowing he is with Eternal Greatness.

            Celebration of life will be Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church of Mesquite, Texas with Rev. Jim Sheppard officiating. Please honor Marshall’s love of flowers by wearing colorful attire. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

AAFA NOTES: SSDI records confirm the birth and death dates of Marshall Edward Alford (SS# issued in TX), last residence Mesquite, Dallas Co., TX.

            We published the obituary of his mother, Daisy Mae Wetzel Alford in Texas Obituaries.

            For more information on this family, see AAFA published genealogies, Known Descendants of Bailey Alford & Nancy Williams and Descendants of John Alford b. about 1645, Three Generations.

            His lineage: Marshall Edward TX¹, Claris Marshall 1903 TX², Marshall 1872 TX³, John Rankin 1834 TN⁴, Alsey 1802 NC⁵, Ira Bailey 1781 NC⁶, Isaac 1748 NC⁷, Julius 1717 VA⁸, James 1687 VA⁹, John 1645 VA¹⁰.