Carl James Binford was born May 27, 1945 in Toney, Alabama to the late Richard W. and Virgie Batts Binford. On July 6, 2024, Carl James Binford slipped the bonds of earth and embarked on a journey to live with the Lord. He found strength and consolation in the promise of Jesus that He “would come and receive him unto Himself.” Even as we suffer the pain of our great loss, we praise God for his love of Jesus Christ. We praise God for the life of Carl, for the strength of his conviction, for the love he displayed for family and friends, for the test of character he accepted and passed so gallantly; and most of all, we praise God for his love of Jesus Christ.
Carl received his elementary education at Mt Zion M.B. Church, New Zion P.B. Church and Turner’s Methodist C.M.E. Church. In the 3rd grade he moved to Toney Junior High School where he completed his elementary and junior high school education. In 1963, Carl graduated with honors from Council Training School in Normal, Alabama. He continued his education at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) where he earned his BS degree in 1967. While at AAMU he was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity by the Nu Epsilon Chapter on April 22, 1967. After receiving his BS degree he continued his education and later received his Master’s degree in 1976. After 50 years he received his Golden Certificate from AAMU for the class of 1967 on May 5, 2017.
The vast majority of Carl’s fifty plus years of employment was in the business world. His first position after completing college was in Boston, Massachusetts and he worked his way back to his beloved hometown in Toney, Alabama. The job was great, but Carl did not like the cold weather and cost of living, so he relocated to Huntsville, Alabama. Carl began working for Rockwell Space division where he supported the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) program. Carl was an excellent writer, so he wrote many of the procedures for processing the Space Shuttle Main engine. Carl also was responsible for maintaining changes to the configuration of SSME. This was very important because if there was a problem it was necessary to understand all changes to original design. Later in his career Rockwell and Boeing merged and Carl
began working for the Boeing Corporation. His duties were increased, and Carl became a supervisor overseeing all the work of his Branch. Near the end of Carl’s lustrous career, NASA merged all the contracts supporting the program into The Space Shuttle Program Contract. Carl retired from this contract and received many awards for his support of the NASA Space Shuttle Program. He was known for his technical knowledge and excellent writing ability.
Carl was always willing to volunteer as a Helping Hand for the Volunteer Center of Madison County Special Olympics each year in Huntsville, Alabama. Carl volunteered his services by explaining that this was his way of life. It was what his family did, and it was expected. Carl provided care for local elderly men by going house-to-house and offering a free shave and haircut for the homebound for over 10 years. Carl was always a behind the scenes mentor in the lives of young men in the community and surrounding area. He often reminded them to take their time and never be rushed on any important decision. Carl was so significant in their lives. He taught them patience and always reminded them that Rome was not built in a day. He talked to them about setting goals, developing a plan, and turning the crank. He explained these were a few things that they needed in life to be successful. He always had a gift of helping and teaching the young; especially the young men. He explained that young men needed to know the value of saving. Carl was so significant in those young men lives. He told them to save at least 30 percent of their earnings. Carl had a wealth of knowledge and would truly be missed.
Carl would spend time in the computer room creating his “poetic” work. He was a poetry enthusiast. He would put his mind at rest and start thinking about “emotion recollected in tranquility”. He actively focused on the details of the world around the community and his family. He would contemplate his feelings as he saw it as it was. Carl also had a deep passion and appreciation for music. For many years he was voted in as the Number 2 Choir music president for the Mt. Zion M.B. Church choir. He would often spend a significant amount of time looking up, listening to and discovering new music for the choir.
Carl was a lawn care professional. He always took care of his lawns, whether at his home, his childhood home, church grounds and other homes. He made sure that his lawn was mowed; whether 2 or 3 times a week. He pruned, removed leaves, limbs, and plants; and recently trying to keep his flowers alive with the weather changing. He did regular and routine maintenance on his tractors and mowers. He made sure he replaced the old fuel, changed the oil and oil filter annually, cleaned or replaced the air filter, changed the spark plus, and checked the tires and mower deck regularly. With all this said, “He was a Farmer” that loved what he did.
Carl used to ride horses along with his son, nephews and friends. Together they climbed hills and crossed streams. There was no hour of life wasted that was spent in the saddle. He thought he was an equestrian just like his nephew Ronnie.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories: a very loyal and dedicated wife, Victoria R. Binford of Toney, AL; one daughter, Tonya Binford of Huntsville, AL; one son, William Eggleston, III (Mira) of Meridianville, AL; one loving sister, Nannie Washington of Toney, AL; two granddaughters: Nevaeh and Alivia Eggleston of Madison, AL; two sisters-in-law: Myrtle Binford and Nanneane Lewis (Jerome); three brothers-in-law: Jimmy Turner, William Rowe, and Braxton Rowe (Cynthia); two aunts: Mrs. Martha Hobbs and Mrs. Beverly Hammonds; two goddaughters: Sharon Tibbs and Jessica Chunn; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Most of all the love for his two granddaughters filled a space in his heart that he never knew was empty. They made the hard times easier and the easy times more fun!
Although we cannot understand the purity of God’s plan, we know that in time we will see clearly, and fully appreciate the magnificent works of our Lord.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church (710 Dan Crutcher Road, Toney, AL 35773) with Pastor Ernest Williams as officiant and Minister Damon Betts eulogist. Interment will be in the Valhalla Memory Gardens. Mr. Binford will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Binford family will receive guests from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the Royal Funeral Home.