Obituary for Chester A Alford Chester A. Alford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 19, 2018 in El Paso, Texas. Born July 13, 1929 in Conway, South Carolina, Chester is the eldest of six siblings through the union of the late William Taft Alford and Thillian Jones Alford. He was quick to tell any and all that he’s just a Carolina Country Boy who has been richly blessed.
Through the guidance of his loving parents, Chester accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized as a member of Cherry Hill Baptist Church in Conway. Both parents were musically gifted which lead to his love for music of all kinds. Their spiritual guidance layed the foundation that later lead to how he would raise his family.
After completing his elementary and high school education in Conway, Chester attended Benedict College in Columbia, SC, where he began to build his character as a servant leader. He would pledge the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, become a member of the Blue Ridge Masonic Lodge #97 and then make the ultimate commitment, enlisting in the United States Army. He would serve with distinguish for thirty-years, reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 which was a significant accomplishment at that time.
At Benedict College, Chester still found time for self where he met the true love of his life, Victoria C. Childers, whom he later married on March 13, 1951, celebrating sixty-seven years of love. To this union, four children were born, Brenda, Chester, Avis and Dannette. Chester utilized his military life to provide unique experiences for his family.
His deployments would include stints in Germany, Greece, Japan and Korea. Fort Bliss would be where the family would begin to establish their roots. Chester retired from the US Army in 1981 and began his new chapter of life with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation located in Columbia, MD, as a senior services engineer.
Chester retired a second time 1992, returning to El Paso where his family had always considered home. Chester and Victoria reconnected immediately with long-time friends, participated on a number of community and civic activities and established their spiritual roots with Mount Zion Baptist Church where they were very active on a number of ministries. Chester earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from the University of Texas at El Paso.
He later obtain a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling from Webster University. Utilizing his educational gifts, Chester stayed active in education serving as an Academic Counselor for El Paso Community College, Instructor with the UTEP Upward Bound Program and as a Substance Abuse Counselor for Aliviane NO-AD Inc. Chester was recognized with many certificates, plaques, and letters of commendation for his efforts in the community, school, fraternity and church. He will always be remembered for his dedication to service and wonderful smile that brought a sense of joy to all.
His memory and presence will forever be rooted in the hearts of his family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Victoria Alford; two daughters, Brenda Vanley (Lawrence) and Avis May (Kelvin) of Kansas City MO; son Chester Alford (Margaret) and seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Molly Robinson (Carl deceased) of Camden, SC, Joyce Jones of Conway SC; one brother, Emerson Alford (Ursula) of Conway SC; and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends. Proceeding him in death his beloved daughter Dannette Alford; sister, Sylvia Conwell; and brother, William Alford.
Chester was a great and loving man whose smile, presence and encouraging words will be truly missed. The family would like to thank the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home, Dr. Diane Demick and staff located in El Paso, Texas for all their support. Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm on Thursday, January 03, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass.
Funeral Service will be held at 12:00pm on Friday, January 04, 2019 at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 3400 Wyoming Ave. Committal Service will follow at 2:00pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.
Please visit our online register book at www. sunsetfuneralhomes.net. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Chester A Alford please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation JAN 3. 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home – Northeast 4631 Hondo Pass El Paso, TX, US, 79904 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Chester ‘s Visitation begins. Prayer Service JAN 3.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home – Northeast 4631 Hondo Pass El Paso, TX, US, 79904 Order Flowers for the Prayer Service Guaranteed delivery before Chester ‘s Prayer Service begins. Funeral Service JAN 4. 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Mt.
Zion Baptist Church 3400 Wyoming El Paso, TX, US, 79903 Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before Chester ‘s Funeral Service begins. Committal Service JAN 4. 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Fort Bliss National Cemetery 5200 Fred Wilson El Paso, TX, US, 79906 Order Flowers for the Committal Service Guaranteed delivery before Chester ‘s Committal Service begins.
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