Murry Lee Alford

Mr. Murry L. Alford, 97, of Milledgeville, Georgia passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Sunday, March 10, 2024, 79 years to-the-week after valiantly serving his country at The Battle of Iwo Jima.  Graveside funeral services will be at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 1:30PM. The family will greet friends at the cemetery shortly before and after the service.

The youngest of seven siblings, Murry was born in Luverne, Alabama on May 7th, 1926. He was raised in Montgomery during the Great Depression and began working to help his family at the age of 10 as a paper boy and later as a butcher.

In 1944 the age of 17, Murry enlisted in the Marine Corps to join his older brothers in serving their country. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 9th Regiment and worked as a cook while on ship and when stationed in Guam. He earned the Sharpshooter Designation and participated in action against the enemy on Iwo Jima, March 1945. A proud Marine his entire life, at the time of his passing he was among the last survivors of The Battle of Iwo Jima.

After the war, Murry returned to Alabama and married his high-school sweetheart Margaret Welch. They later moved to Macon where they raised their two daughters. He began working as a traveling salesman with Hayes Davis meat packing company and then for Quaker Oats, where he worked for 28 years before retiring. He was the top salesman in the nation multiple times.

Murry enjoyed golf, gardening, reading, watching ballgames, visiting with friends and family, and most-of-all spending time with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who all knew Murry affectionately as “Papa”. He had an unforgettable smile and charismatic personality.

Murry and Margaret were charter members of Ridgecrest Baptist church in Montgomery and later devoted members of Vineville Baptist Church in Macon, where Murry served on many committees and as head usher. He also was a Sunday School teacher for a class of boys from the Georgia Academy for the Blind.

Murry was lovingly cared for in his later years by his daughter Peggi, her husband Dick, and devoted caregiver Sonya Dunn. The family is grateful for the assistance he received through the VA’s Home Based Primary Care program which gave the support needed to keep him at home for the last nine years of his life.

Murry is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Margaret (Peggi) and Richard (Dick) Joyner, son-in-law Richard Lamb, beloved grandchildren Susan Tinch (Jamey), Robert Lamb (Elinor), Wendy Wood (Greg), Megan Craig (Jonathan), and great-grandchildren Elijah, Asa, Elizabeth, Maggie Belle, Anna, Julia, Avaline, Camry, Aiden, and Cody. He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 64 years, Margaret Welch, his daughter Lee Ann Lamb, and granddaughter Kathryn Lamb.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeside Baptist Church Building Fund, 1023 Milledgeville Rd, Milledgeville, GA 31061 or Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA 31204.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of arrangements.

Lakeside Baptist Church Building Fund
1023 Milledgeville Hwy, Milledgevile GA 31061
Tel: 1-706-485-0835
Web: https://lakesidebaptistchurch.org/

Vineville Baptist Church
2591 Vineville Ave, Macon GA
Tel: 1-478-743-9366
Web: http://www.vinevillebaptist.org/index.php