Douglas Dannelley Alford, Sr.

Douglas Dannelley Alford, Sr., age 87, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at his residence. Douglas was born the 24th of July 1938 to godly parents, Jeremiah W. Alford and Addie Rhea Peacock Alford. Doug was the sixth child of ten children; Doug was raised a Southern Baptist and lived mostly all his life in the community of Darlington. Doug was taught to be a hard worker and to pull his weight. He made his own homemade sawmill and cut a lot of lumber for folks near and far. Doug's family of nephews, brothers, cousins and son "Danny" helped with the sawmill as well as with other enterprises he got into. He also did contract sod work mainly for state road bridges and county roadways and some private individuals. He made his own homemade motorized forklift that he was proud of that he used to lift the sod pallets. Doug loved to hunt, fish, listen to old country music like Hank Williams, Sr. and Marty Robbins, watch Gunsmoke and John Wayne westerns, and work on his sudoku puzzles. He grew up playing softball as a child and as an adult, his family and friends and himself teamed up, and they won the State of Alabama championship back in the 1980's. He was very proud of his family that helped him in his endeavors of working or even playing softball. They each had special qualities in them. Doug was a person with a wonderful personality that drew you to him, he was a gentle soul, never showed his temper, would give you anything if you asked for it or not. Doug was a "Simple Man" with a heart of gold that loved his family and friends beyond measure.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Jeremiah and Addie Rhea Peacock Alford; five brothers, William "Bill", Joel, Jerry, John Gary, and Jordan Alford; two sisters, Hattie Alford Burgess, and Katherine Gail Alford Bludworth Cole; one stepson, Bobby Ray; and father and mother-in-law, R.D. "Dee" Smith and Ella Catherine Mitchem Smith.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Joyce Marie Smith-Alford of 29 years; his son, Douglas "Danny" Alford, Jr.; brother, Steve Alford (Sue); sister, Nina White; sisters-in-law and husbands, Dorothy Smith Boles and Rusty, Barbara Smith Thomas and Ricky, Joyce Davis Alford all of Darlington, Florida and R.L. Cole of Florala, Alabama; and a host of nephews, nieces, extended family that all called him "Uncle Doug". If you knew him, he called you "Friend" and you were truly blessed, for you were like family too, "a bit special” as he called it!

A time of visitation will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025 in the chapel of Davis-Watkins beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Terry Smith and Reverend Greg Alford officiating. Committal services will follow at Limestone Cemetery.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.