Karen Lee Smith Alford was born June 12, 1948, in Quincy, Florida, to her parents, William Carl Smith and Phyllis Tuttle Smith. Due to her mother’s death, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, William Smith and Mittie Lee Andrews Smith.
Karen graduated from Chattahoochee High School in 1966, and later from Chipola Junior College. She retired after 33 years from Florida State Hospital as an administrative supervisor. In 2014 she was certified as a local pastor and served as pastor to Bethel, Cypress, and McCall’s Chapel United Methodist Churches, retiring on July 1, 2023.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and her sister, Virginia Leigh Royle (Kent), her mother and father-in-law, Annie Belle and Fletcher Alford, Sister-in-law, Daisy Faye Alford Faircloth, and Brother-in-law, Duncan J. Alford. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Ray Alford, their daughter, Danella Alford Montenieri and son-in-law, Mark Andrew Montenieri from Chattahoochee; her aunt, Catherine Smith Budlong from Douglasville, Georgia; her sisters-in-law, Nedra Mae Owens (Doyle), Rusha Kay Sims (Billy), and Zilla Gay Thompson (Jerry), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Karen’s love of Jesus Christ and her dedication to her ministry in and out of the church, molded her life of love and caring for her family and friends. Her presence in all our lives will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, December 31, 2023, in the Chapel of McAlpin Funeral Home at 3:00 PM EST with Rev. Bill Peterson and Rev. Mark Moore officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.
Condolences may be submitted at www.mcalpinfuneralhome.com
