Funeral service will be at 2pm Saturday at Crestwood Chapel for Laura E. "Tena" Alford, age 91, Gadsden, who died February 15, 2012. Rev. Tim Alford will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home will direct service.
Mrs. Alford and her husband Tom Alford operated Dairy King on East Broad Street and Big Chief Restaurant in Glencoe for over 25 years. She was a faithful member of East Gadsden Baptist Church, where she loved singing in the choir. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas L. Alford, Sr.; granddaughter Emma Catherine Wallace; parents George W. and Velvie Malone; mother and father in law Fred and Lula Alford; and several brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her children Melanie (Bob) Knappenberger of Cheyenne, WY, Judy (Jim) Brookes of Hokes Bluff, Cecilia (Bob) Belvin on Wimberley, TX, Thomas L. Alford, Jr. of Cheyenne, WY; Froncine (Tony) Wallace of Gadsden, and Paul (Jean) Alford; grandchildren Heather Knappenberger, Lori, Mary, and Jill Brookes, Lew and Grayson Belvin, Thomas, Tabitha, Melody, Rachel, and Lindy Alford, Amanda, Alex, Laura, Michael, Spencer, and Chloe Wallace; great grandchildren Jackson Fetscoe, Olivia and Gus Alford, and Caleb and Ryzen Wallace; sister Violet Oliver; and several nieces and nephews.
Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Special thanks to Dr. Jason Ayers and the staff of Southside Medical Clinic, Alan Hudson and East Gadsden Baptist Adult Choir.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:30 pm until the hour of service.