Alice Pearl (Chapman) Alford

Alice Pearl (Chapman) Alford died on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the age of 81. Mrs. Alford was born in Danville, Georgia to the late Laura Mae Chapman and Troy Chapman. She was preceded in death by her brother Joe Louis Combs.

Mrs. Alford is survived by her husband Monroe Alford, daughter April Alford-Harkey (Marie), her sisters Martha Ann (Combs) Robinson and Mattie Marie (Combs) Moore, as well as many nieces and nephews in Macon, Georgia and Cleveland, Ohio. She is also survived by her chosen family: Tom Rice, Paula McWilliam, Elizabeth A. Westcott, Abigal Staulcup, and Benjamin Staulcup.

Mrs. Alford earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fort Valley State University in 1965. In 1968, Mr. Alford was stationed in Germany, where he, Mrs. Alford, and daughter April resided for 3 years.

Mrs. Alford earned her master’s degree in history from Boston University in 1970 by taking extension courses with living in Germany. She became a special education teacher who championed and coached the Special Olympics. Mrs. Alford loved all her students and thoroughly enjoyed her teaching career.

Mrs. Alford went on to earn a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Rhode Island. She became a reference librarian at the Hampton Public library until she retired. Being a reference librarian fed her passion for knowledge and her love of helping people.

Mrs. Alford loved her family, including all of those who saw her as family, and was incredibly proud of her daughter April Alford-Harkey who is a chaplain and an Episcopal deacon.

Services will be held on Saturday. February 26 at 2 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reach Out and Read by clicking here .