Carolyn Alford
Age - 77
December 8, 2023
On June 30, 1946, Oliver and Naomi Watts Hampton welcomed their fifth of seven children and youngest daughter, Carolyn, into their home in Sheffield, AL. On December 2, 2023, our heavenly Father (and John) welcomed Carolyn into her eternal home. Carolyn's early education was at Leighton Training School in Alabama, where she was an active student and band majorette. Years later, after raising her family, she attended Chattanooga State and the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.
In 1966, Carolyn met John Edward Alford, of Homer, Louisiana. John and Carolyn enjoyed forty-nine years of marriage before John passed in 2015. Their union was blessed with two children, Quintin and Johnita. Carolyn was a dedicated homemaker. She was quite supportive and involved in her family's activities by attending all ball games, church youth programs and even became her own seamstress. Her sense of style and decor was unique and unequaled. When grandchildren came along, "Gran-gran" was "all-in" and hands-on in loving and supporting Courtnay, Coleman and Linden.
Upon moving to Chattanooga, Carolyn attended Second Missionary Baptist Church with her Aunt Margaret Byrd and joined under the pastorate of Rev. Martin Ribbins. Carolyn was a very active member of Second, having served as president of the Club #11 Ministry, the Welcome Committee and the Computer Committee. She was a trailblazer with a vision for serving. She initiated and served on several ministries including the New Members' Orientation, the church-wide birthday calendar, the pictorial directory, monthly computer lab tutorials for youth, adult computer classes, family bereavement courtesies, and the Black History Celebration. She was a 2007 graduate of the Evangelism School. Her enthusiasm and spirit for hospitality were matched by her willingness to serve and her generosity. She had a contagious personality that infected everyone with a sense of genuine friendship.
Once her children graduated high school, Carolyn went to work for the Hamilton County School System as a substitute teacher for a number of years. There she became well known and endeared by students, parents and staff. She later created Carnett, a desktop publishing partnership, specializing in custom-made brochures, cards and flyers. She loved giving friends personalized greeting cards. She was a faithful member of the Birthday Group, the Cancerians, and the Girlfriends Luncheon Group.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three brothers: Edward, Odell, and Walter Hampton. She is survived by her children: Quintin and Johnita Alford, Chattanooga; grandchildren: Courtnay (Delron) Hawkins, Atlanta, GA; Coleman Alford, Augusta, GA; and Linden Alford, Chattanooga, TN; siblings: Ella Juanita Moss, Tuscumbia, AL; Mary Gladys (Bennie) Mastin, Leighton, AL; and Thomas Hampton, Kansas City, MO; one sister-in-law, Alma Hampton, Muscle Shoals, AL and brothers-in-law: Franklin (Bertha) Alford, Chattanooga, TN; Rogers (Cassandra) Brown, Lehigh Acres, FL; and Charles Brown, Shreveport, LA. She will be sorely missed by many cousins, especially Margaret (Russell) Harris and Jean (Andre) Gordon as well as her church family, and friends.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 PM-6:00 PM, Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the funeral home. An 11:30 AM funeral service will be held Monday, December 11, 2023, at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 2305 East Third Street.
Interment will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery, Gate time 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, www. girlsincofchatt. org/give.
Please select ways to support and click on "in honor or in memory gift tab" of Carolyn Alford.Show more
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
