Bobby Pace Alford

by Lynn McMillen
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Bobby Pace Alford, age 89, of Lawrenceburg, TN passed away Saturday, October 17, 2020 at NHC Healthcare of Lawrenceburg.  Bobby Alford’s great-great- great-grandfather came to Lawrence County in 1817, and there has been an Alford living in Lawrence County since that time.  Bobby’s parents were the late Roy Bob and Birdie Bell Pace Alford.  Bobby is a 1950 graduate of LCHS and attended Florence State Teachers College (UNA).

Bobby and his wife, the former Martha Ann Sowell, have been married for more than 56 years.  They have two sons, Robin and his wife Debbie, and Mark.  Bobby has four grandchildren, Maggie and Elissa Alford, Jerad Green, and Kristy Yarbrough who is married to Thad Yarbrough.  Kristy and Thad are the parents of three great-grandchildren; Lane, Emily, and Eva Yarbrough.

Bobby has been involved in a wide range of church and community volunteer activities.  He was a Deacon, taught Sunday School for 25 years and sang in the choir at the First Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg.  Bobby and Martha Ann served as Church Librarians for 16 years and they were Senior Citizen Directors at the church for 16 years.

They worked in the “Meals on Wheels” program for 27 years and Bobby served as President of the Lawrence County Historical Society for nine years.  Bobby served as a volunteer in the “Soviet Airplane Watchers” program in 1951.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of God’s Storehouse, Lawrence County Historical Society, and Lawrence County Genealogical Society.  He was former President of the LCHS Athletic Club.  He was former President of the Lawrence County Pop Warner Football Association.  Bobby formerly served as an Ambassador of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and was the Santa Claus in the Christmas parade for the Chamber of Commerce for 35 years.

Bobby Alford worked with Babe Ruth Baseball for 38 years, serving as Manager, League President, District Director, Unit Director, Assistant State Commissioner, and as State Commissioner for seven years.  He was instrumental in bringing the 1978 and 1983 Babe Ruth World Series to Lawrenceburg and tossed the first pitch for the 2017 Babe Ruth World Series.  In 1984 he served on the staff at the Babe Ruth World Series in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Bobby was a TSSAA Basketball Referee and Baseball Umpire for many years.  He also officiated football games for Pop Warner games.

He was a member of the original cast of “Gentleman from the Cane,” playing the part of Enoch Tucker in 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986 and he was the oldest participant in the 2017  play.  He also participated in the play, “Li’l Abner.”

Bobby served on the Lawrence County School Board for eight years and was Chairman for one year.  He was a member of the Lawrence County Library Board for seven years and was Chairman for one year.  He formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Technology School in Pulaski, and The Adult Education Board of the Lawrence County School System.

Bobby Alford was employed at Murray Ohio for over 37 years.  He worked as Timekeeper Supervisor, editor of “The Murray Cycle,” and Training Director.

Bobby wrote a weekly article, “Historically Speaking” for the Lawrence County Advocate.  He wrote a set of ten books on “The History of Lawrence County.”  Bobby also had a historical program on the Ronnie Allen Show on WDXE-AM each Monday morning at 8:00 AM.

He was Sports Editor for the Democrat Union for eight years.  Bobby taught three history classes for senior citizens for five years.  He was teacher, principal, and basketball coach at West Point Elementary School in 1954.  His boys’ team was runner up in the county tournament.

He had three sisters, Ann Elizabeth Alford, Jane Marie Alford Howard, and Barbara Alford Brown.  All three sisters preceded him.

Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, October 19, 2020 at Neal Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church of Lawrenceburg at 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 20, 2020, with Tony Gordy and Jacob Kitchens officiating.  Interment will follow at Mimosa Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, TN.  Family suggests memorials be made to God’s Storehouse.

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