May 10, 1920 — April 7, 2016

Mary E. Alford, 95, of Shoreline, Washington, former of Cassopolis, died peacefully Thursday evening, April 7, 2016, in Cristwood Nursing Center in Shoreline, Washington, in the comfort and presence of her family.

She was born May 10, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the Reverend John Lee and Elizabeth (Craighead) Buyram. She married Tharvel Alford Oct. 27, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan. He preceded her in death June 1, 1981. She was also preceded by her parents, her husband, Tharvel Alford, Sr., and one son, Tharvel Alford, Jr.

Before moving to Cassopolis from Chicago on July 1, 1951, Mary was active in Mount Olive Baptist Church where she was a member of the Usher’s Guild, a Missionary Society Teacher and a Sunday School teacher for 15 years. Once in Cass, she became active in Community Missionary Baptist Church, where she became an ordained Deaconess. She served as President of the Senior Choir for five years and was Vice President of the Christian Fellowship Youth Group. Mary later joined House of Prayer Community Church where she was a Missionary Teacher, Sunday School teacher and Usher.

Mary loved to fish and kept trying to talk her son in law into taking her fishing out in the Pacific Ocean. She loved her grandchildren, especially her “big eyed boy,” Tony. Mary liked cooking, decorating and gardening. She loved her “Peaches,” her baby girl, Marva.

Mary will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Marva and Manuel Sanchez, Sr. of Everett, Washington; two grandsons, Manuel Sanchez, Jr. of Marysville, Washington, Cosme Sanchez of Everett, Washington; five great grandchildren, Armando Sanchez, Ashley Sanchez, C. J. Sanchez, Jr., Tony Sanchez, Kiyanna Sanchez; and one brother, Jefferson Lee of Chicago, Illinois.

Family and friends will gather from 1 p.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway St., Cassopolis, with the Reverend Juan Sanchez officiating. Mrs. Alford will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband and son in Calvin Community Cemetery in Calvin Township, Michigan.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.