Linda Louise Johnson Alford

Linda Louise Johnson Alford, of Hamilton, Georgia moved to her new home in heaven on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia at the age of 81. Though she had battled ovarian cancer for 2 years her death was caused by an aortic tear.

On Wednesday February 28, 2024, Linda and her energetic gang of saltshakers were having lunch at the Waffle House when the tear occurred. Linda relished her time with these special friends. Dancing, dinner and singing at the VFW.  Eating out multiple times each week.

The family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected way Linda went home. There are so many reasons to be thankful as we remember her loving, nurturing, and entertaining life.

Linda was born June 4, 1942, in Columbus, Georgia as the daughter and only child of the late Render Clarke and Louise Taylor Johnson.  She was a 1960 graduate of Jordan Vocational High School.  After high school Linda attended modeling school in Atlanta.  In 1962 she married H. Denton Alford and was by his side 58 years until he passed away in September 2020. Linda earned an associate degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College and was a member of Covenant Fellowship Class at Evangel Church.

Linda’s most treasured role was Mother to her children DeLaney and Brannon and as “Layla” to her grandchildren. She challenged all of us to try our very best at whatever we undertook.  She set that example in everything in the parties she organized and conducted for her children, her volunteer roles at their schools, team mom for all sports activities and even planning all of her JVHS Class of 1960 reunions.

Linda recently shared with DeLaney that every job she had she was not “actively” seeking but instead had been asked to come work there. Linda was a teacher’s aide at Johnson Elementary School from 1970-1981. It was no surprise when the Muscogee County Extension Office, home of the Columbus 4-H Club, asked her to work for them.  DeLaney and Brannon were both National 4-H scholarship winners. Linda was the program assistant to the Extension Agent, planning and conducting 4-H club meetings in the Muscogee County schools from 1981 until she finally officially retired in 2012. After her first retirement it was not long until Harris County 4-H contacted her asking her to come out of retirement and assist them with their growing school program.  Linda was unable to accept but did assist in finding them someone. Linda later accepted a part time position when they came knocking on her door again. She loved working with the 4-Hers in both Muscogee and Harris County. She still maintained contact with many of them.  In 2012 her husband Denton was diagnosed with lung cancer and needed her by his side. Linda nursed Denton until he was officially “cancer free” making sure they did not miss their grandchildren’s soccer matches, baseball games, karate matches, school ceremonies or graduations.

Linda is survived by her children, DeLaney Hurston Johnson (Bill) of Columbus, GA, and Ashley Brannon Alford (Charlyne) of Cataula, GA; her grandchildren, Ashbi Hannah Alford, Hamilton, GA, Carson Brannon Alford (Megan), Cataula, GA, Riley Elizabeth Alford, Cataula, GA, William (Will) Bailey Johnson, Columbus, GA, DeLaney Louise Johnson, Columbus, GA, Travis Matthew Thimm (Brittany), Maple Plain, MN, and Skylar Morgan Clarkson (Ryan), Brooklyn Park, MN; great grandchildren Dawson Brannon Alford, Walker Ann Alford and Piper Elizabeth Alford all of Cataula, GA; sister-in-law, Jeannie McGuire, Columbus, GA, brothers-in-law, Larry Alford (Pat), Hamilton, GA and Jerry Alford (Becky), Cataula, GA and three generations of nieces and nephews.

Other than her parents, Linda is preceded in death by her husband, H. Denton Alford.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with son-in-law Bill Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.  A private committal service will be held at Parkhill Cemetery.

A celebration of Linda Louise Johnson Alford’s life will be held 5:00-7:00 PM, March 5, 2024, at the Commander VFW Post 665 located at 1824 Victory Drive, Columbus, GA, 31901. All who knew and loved her are invited to attend and reminisce. We will share photos and memories of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, friend, and classy lady.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Harris County Humane Society at www.hsharrisco.org