Bill Text: MS HC76 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi House Concurrent Resolution 76 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Travis Alford; commend life, legacy and unmatched public service upon his passing.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-03-03 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC76 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2011-HC76-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Myers, Pigott

House Concurrent Resolution 76

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND UNMATCHED PUBLIC SERVICE OF LONGSTANDING WALTHALL COUNTY SUPERVISOR TRAVIS ALFORD AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Travis Alford, born on May 7, 1927, in Walthall County, to Arthur and Margaret Martin Alford, a natural leader and peoples' servant, departed this earthly life on February 10, 2011, at the age of 83, to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, a staple of the Salem Community of Walthall County for more years than can be remembered, the Alfords had an open-door policy and welcomed loved ones to their dinner table for home-cooked Sunday dinners; and

WHEREAS, even while caring for his late wife, Louise McKenzie Alford, during her illness, because family was a priority, Mr. Alford continued their cherished tradition and preserved the custom until his untimely death; and

WHEREAS, a giant in public service, having served longer than any other county supervisor in the State of Mississippi, Mr. Alford was completing his 44th year as supervisor for Walthall County and was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to commence campaigning for the next term; and

WHEREAS, due to his extended longevity and wealth of knowledge, Mr. Alford served as past President of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Director and charter member of the Mississippi Public Entity Workers Compensation Trust, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Walthall County board member of Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District and past President of the Walthall County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, a faithful watchman of the board of supervisors' budget, Mr. Alford was well-known for his knack of fiscal responsibility as continually modeled to his family on how to save, repair or make do, without abstaining from the Christian principles of benevolence and generosity shown to those in need; and

WHEREAS, even in the rigors of his hectic schedule, Mr. Alford always remembered the joys in the simple pleasures of life and took great pleasure in attending many Salem School ballgames and especially looked forward to cheering for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on and off the field; and

WHEREAS, a man loyal to God, family and country, Mr. Alford was honored by the privilege of being an American, and evidenced his appreciation for freedom and democracy, akin to no other, by serving in the United States Navy during World War II; and

WHEREAS, equally devoted to his Christian faith, which was of paramount importance in his home life and official capacity, Mr. Alford, whose philosophy of life was "to love God and serve others by being constantly alert to the needs of those around him," was the current Chairman of the Deacons at Salem Baptist Church, a Mason, a Shriner and a member of Varnell Masonic Lodge; and

WHEREAS, walking a long mile to church and back every Sunday and Wednesday symbolized Mr. Alford's zest for living to those who knew him, and in his final moments of life's grandeur, he was in the performance of service to the people of Walthall County clearing a fallen tree for passage on a highly traveled roadway; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 57 years; son, Homer Alford; and brother, Thomas Alford; Mr. Alford's transition to life eternal will be a reunion of loved ones never forsaken or forgotten upon the celestial shores of heaven; and

WHEREAS, left to cherish his legacy of love, service and benevolence are: his wife, Helen Craft Alford; son, Troy Alford; daughters, Linda Ingram and Sue Alford; brothers, Hulon Alford and Dan Alford; sisters, Mary Thornhill and Martha Ann Ladner; grandchildren, Christina Rayborn, Molly Lucas, Anna A. Nelson, Heath Alford, April Smith, Jessica Alford, Jamie Alford and Savannah Alford; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life of such an outstanding and selfless public servant as Mr. Alford, whose life served as a beacon of hope and inspiration, and was the benchmark of excellence by which his family and colleagues could pattern their lives:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and unmatched public service of longstanding Walthall County Supervisor Travis Alford and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Alford, the Walthall County Board of Supervisors and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.