Annie Alford Page Moore

My dad called me on Tuesday to let me know that my great aunt Ann had passed away on Monday.   I had not seen Ann in more than twenty-some years, but I had recently gotten in touch with her daughter.  I thought a short tribute to a great lady was in order.  After all, my grandpa always spoke so highly of his big sister.  I can remember playing Old Maid and Gin Rummy with her when I visited her.  She was a cool lady and I thought it was neat that she had a greenhouse and banana tree.  I wish I could have gotten to know her better!
Here’s a little photo montage in memory of those departed…

Ann, Naomi, Arlie and Bill Alford

Uncle Ben and Aunt Mary Lakin with Ann and Bill Alford

(When Ann and Bill’s parents passed away the Lakins raised them)

The following is from the local paper in Hot Springs, Arkansas (The Sentinel-Record -
Published: 10/27/2011)

Ann (Alford) Page Moore, 90, of Hot Springs, died Oct. 24, 2011. She was born Nov. 20, 1920, in Hot Springs, to Arlie and Naomi (Reynolds) Alford.

After her parents death, she and her younger brother, Billy Tom Alford, were raised by their Aunt Mary and Uncle Ben Lakin. In 1942, she married Robert Randolph Page. They owned Page Liquor Store for 25 years. Later, Ann worked as a sales clerk in various Hot Springs gift shops. Ann was a member of Morning Star Methodist Church.
She enjoyed reading, yard work, cooking, jigsaw and crossword puzzles and most of all, playing cards with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Robert Randolph Page, son, Robert Page II, son, Danny Page and brother, Billy Tom Alford.
In 1999 Ann married Dan Moore who survives along with her daughter, Suzanne (Jacob) Woolfson; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Page; grandsons; Dr. Robert (Ann) Page III and Anthony (Amy) Hubbard, granddaughters, Crystal Hubbard and Denise (Brian) Askelson, 9 great-grandchildren and many step-children and step- grandchildren who treated Ann as their own.

A Cousin Reconnects

A few weeks ago I was surprised to find a message in my Ancestry mailbox from a cousin of mine.  I had never met her or been in touch as far as I knew, but I’d heard her name mentioned by my Dad and knew of her.  Her mother is the sister of my grandpa and apparently she had gotten into genealogy over the past few years too.  She contacted me and mentioned that she might have pictures of my great grandparents!  I had never seen any pictures of them so I was thrilled at the prospect of finally getting to see their faces.  After a few emails back and forth I got the first batch of scanned photographs that had been identified by my Grand Aunt.

Back Row: Andy Alford, Arlie Alford, Unknown, Tom Alford (uncle)

Front Row: Linda Alford (grandmother), Annie Alford (aunt), Naomi Alford

Children: Annie Alford and cousin Arcielle Alford

According to his World War I draft registration card completed in September 1918 he was 21 years old and worked as Second Cook for the Porter Bros. in Cape Henry, Virginia.  He called home Hot Springs, Arkansas and listed his father Andy G. Alford as his nearest relation.

Annie, Naomi, Arlie, and Billie Alford  (approx. 1925)

Naomi Reynolds and Arlie Alford married in 1920 in Arkansas.  Unfortunately, both Naomi and Arlie died of tuberculosis while their children were very young.  Annie and Billie went on to be raised by Mary and Ben Lakin of Hot Springs.  By grandfather (Billie) never really spoke of his parents as I imagine he was probably too young to remember them when they died.  Grandpa frequently visited Hot Springs up until he was unable to drive himself. 

Ben and Mary Lakin with Annie and Billie Alford