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This obituary appeared in the Bernice Banner March 16, 2001

CONNIE RAY ALFORD

Connie Ray Alford, born September 6, 1939, departed this life March 9, 2001 at Union 
General Hospital.
Connie Ray was predeceased by his parents, Loyd and Elma Beaird Alford; his sister, 
Margie Loyd Alford; his brother, Billy Wayne Alford; and these two special friends, 
Bo Wade, and Billy Wayne Eldridge.
He leaves surviving him, his wife and life-long soul mate, Patsy Alford; his son, 
Jamie and wife Sue Alford; and his daughter, Shawn Alford and Gary Kennedy. He also 
leaves to cherish his memory, his four grandchildren, Chance Alford, Tyler Alford, 
Zachary Alford, and Kelsey Rhea Cardneaux.
Connie Ray proudly served on the Union Parish Police Jury for twenty years and was 
instrumental in the construction, growth and success of the Union Prish Landfill.
Connie Ray was a born farmer and was respected by his colleagues as the one one who 
could always answer any questions they had about their farm, their cows, horses, or 
their equipment, and the first one to come to help when needed.
Connie Ray was known and respected for his humility, his compassion and not only his 
willingness, but his insistence to help others. At 6'4" he really was a gentle giant.
During his childrens' youth he was a producer of Little Britches Rodeo in Louisiana 
and Arkansas. Although not a profitable venture, he did it for the kids. He was proud 
of the many children that he and "Miss Pat" opened their home to and all of the little 
cowboys that were born at the Welcome Home in Truxno. He was a man with infinite 
patience and love for children. Whether it was teaching children to drive in the 
pasture at age six, to tic a fish hook to stay on the line, or to ride a bull, he took 
great pleasure in pride the innocence of youth and the promise he saw for future 
generations.
Connie Ray also loved the elderly and 'shutins' and always took the time to check on 
them. He enjoyed raising watermelons to bring them, cutting firewood and planting 
gardens for neighborhood widows, or making the twenty mile trip to town with his 
horse and buggy to give the residents at the local nursing homes a spin around the block.
Perhaps his good friend, Bo Wade, said it best when he said, "a storm could be coming and 
Connie Ray Alford was the only man I knew who could be putting a roof on his house, but 
would climb down to come and help put a roof on yours."
His family was comforted by the prayers offered on their behalf and the hundreds of 
visitors during the last few weeks, each of who seemed to have a "well, let me tell you 
what Connie Ray did for me one time" story.
His grandchildren were his pride and joy the last few years. He was looking so forward to 
taking the little ones bream fishing in his pond the next few weeks. His Saturday morning 
"bear" hunting safaris on the back of the place will be missed by the 7 and 5 years olds. 
His 15 and 13-year-old grandsons lost their "best buddy" and their confidante. His 
grandchildren always looked at him with their eyes full of admiration and respect.
Throughout his life, Connie Ray remained accepting, compassionate and forgiving. He never 
complained or asked for sympathy. He maintained his faith in the Lord, his family, his 
friends and the people of Union Parish.
Funeral services were held at Kilpatrick's Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 
10, 2001. Connie Ray will then be brought home. Interment was held on the family farm at 
Cook Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Fred Rodgers, Robert Gulley, Thomas Wade, Don Nyegaard, Oscar Bearden, Jr., 
Donald Sharp, Charles Nyegaard and Juan Ne Byrnside.
Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie Holloway, Stanley Glosson, Gary Black, Brooks Jones, 
Bennie Ford, Steve Jones, Jerry Daniels, Louie Jean Morgan and Robert Levy.
His family asks for your continued prayers and understanding and your following of God's 
dictate, and Connie Ray's philosophy to love and be kind to one another.

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