Submitted by: Dan Rich

Robert Davidson Alford

Dec. 4, 1935 - May 7, 2000

South Bend Tribune 5/12/2000

Mr. Robert Davidson Alford, 64, dear brother, stepbrother and uncle who resided in Fort Wayne, Ind., formerly of South Bend, Ind., passed away following an illness at 11 a.m. on Sun-day, May 7, in Veterans Ad-ministration Hospital, Fort Wayne. On Dec. 4, 1935, in South Bend, he was born to the union of the late Odessa and Mable Alice (Davidson) Alford. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Sherrie Alford; and by two brothers, Calvin Otis and Odessa Cleophus, Jr. Robert was reared in South Bend where he attended South Bend Community Public Schools and graduated from Washington High School. Shortly after graduation Robert entered the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1957, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. Following his discharge he returned to South Bend where he lived for most of his life until a few years ago when he moved to Fort Wayne.

Loving family members who survive include five sisters, Delores (David) Sledge of Riverside, Calif., Janice (Robert Louis) Marable of South Bend, Joan Baber of Palmdale, Calif., Dorothy Vaughn of Los Angeles, Calif., and Toni (Phillip) Ferguson of South Bend; two brothers, Clyde (Evelyn) Alford of Fort Wayne and Rev. Donald (Mary) Alford, Sr., of South Bend; four stepsisters, Mary (Ronald) Wilson and Onell Tanner, both of South Bend, Loretta Gilmore of Los Angeles and Irene Robertson of Hawthorne, Calif.; four stepbrothers, Marvin Alexander and Jonathan Alexander, both of South Bend, Clyde Alexander of Hazelhurst, Miss., and Pink Alexander of Country Hills, Ill.; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, in the Pentecostal Cathedral Church. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before the service in the church. Alford's Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.