Jimmy Alday was a devoted family man with a wealth of knowledge while on this earth. He went to be with his Heavenly Father on his 80th birthday after a short illness surrounded by family and friends.
A native of the Spring Creek area of Seminole County, Georgia, Jimmy graduated from Chattahoochee High School in 1962. He then attended and graduated from the University of Florida with a Pharmacy degree. He was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After basic training, he was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio where he met the love of his life, Marie Utley. After completion of his Army service, he and Marie moved back to Sneads, FL and opened Three Rivers Pharmacy (now Sneads Pharmacy), which he owned and operated for over 40 years. He was the self-proclaimed, biggest (legal) drug dealer in Sneads who wanted to make sure that Sneads continued to have a local pharmacy. Jimmy was also a hobby farmer who loved growing all types of livestock, produce, hay, row crops, bees, and pine trees. He was an honest, patient, kind and humble man who was grounded in a firm foundation of faith, family, country, and education. As described by his cousin, Norton Alday, “Jimmy Alday is a man men should emulate.” He inspired several nieces/nephews and cousins to become pharmacists as well.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents Albert Alday and Mary Earnest and his siblings Albert Russell Alday, Betty Jean Strickland, John L Alday, and Tommy Alday.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marie Utley Alday, his children Jamie (Kirsten) Alday, Joseph (April) Alday, and Rita Alday. Grandchildren Beau, Juliette, Jacob, Kylee and Allen Alday along with his sister Mary Lena Neel and a host of cousins, family and friends who will cherish his memory.
There will be a time of visitation with the family on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Central Time, at McAlpin Funeral home in Sneads. Funeral Mass will be Monday, March 11, 2024, beginning at 10:00 AM Central Time with a rosary, followed by mass at St Anne’s Catholic Church in Marianna, FL. The interment will immediately follow at Dykes Cemetery in Sneads with military honors presented by American Legion Post 241.
In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation in Jimmy’s memory to three groups near and dear to his heart: The Saint Anne’s Catholic Youth Fellowship Fund 3009 5th St, Marianna, FL 32446, Sneads High School Foundation 7839 Howell Road Sneads, FL 32460 or American Legion Post 241 PO Box 671 Sneads, FL 32460.
Expressions of sympathy can be made through www.mcalpinfuneralhome.com
