Dr. Paul L. Alford
March 16, 1930-August 10, 2023
Dr. Paul L. Alford, age 93, of Toccoa, GA passed away Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Oak Pointe Memory Care, Winder, GA. Paul was born March 16, 1930, in Tampa, FL. He was the son of the late L. E. Alford, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Alderman Alford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his dear wife, Grace Tropf Alford; sisters Evelyn Alford and Coline Alford; and his brother, L.E. Alford, Jr. Family members include his daughters, Rebecca Grace Zuch (John) of Wake Forest, NC, and Sharon Ann Crosby (Jarvis) of Toccoa, GA; granddaughters, Sharon Lohr (Jason), Kristina Jones (Rob), Sarah Schell (Forest), and Mallery Jordan (Josh); grandsons, John Zuch (Jessica) and Paul Crosby (Sarah); 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dr. Alford was a member of Hope Community Bible Church of the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Spring Hill, FL. Paul graduated from Hillsborough High School, Tampa, FL in 1947. While in high school he was voted “Class Notable,” President of the Key Club, Winner of the American Legion Award, President of the Student Council, Member of National Honor Society, Lieutenant Colonel of the ROTC. Paul served in the U.S. Naval Reserves (1947-1954). After attending the University of Florida for one year, he sensed a leading of the Lord to prepare for ministry, which led to his graduation from Nyack College, Nyack, NY, in 1951. He then began ministry as an evangelist in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. On December 29, 1951, Paul married Grace Tropf. He also began in that same year his lifelong ministry with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Dr. Alford served as a church planter, missionary to Ecuador, pastor, Director of Spanish Ministries, Superintendent of the Southeastern District, elected to serve on the Board of Managers for thirty-two years, and served as the VP of the C&MA (1976-1986). In 1978 he became the President of Toccoa Falls College, (1978-2000). During this same time, he also served as President of Trinity College of Florida (1998-2000, 2001-2002). After retirement from Toccoa Falls College, Paul continued to serve on the Board of Managers and accepted many invitations to serve the Lord as an interim church pastor and interim Superintendent of the Mid-Atlantic District.
Dr. Alford received many honors woven throughout his distinguished service to the Lord. He received a D.D. from Trinity College and Asbury College, in addition to the LL.D. from Toccoa Falls College. He is included in Noted Personalities of the South, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who in America (seven consecutive years), and Men and Women of Distinction. In addition to serving on the C&MA Board of Managers, he also
served on the Board of Directors of Salvation Army, Toccoa; American Association of Bible Colleges; and Trans World Radio. Dr. Alford was named President of the Georgia Association of Colleges and Universities (1997-998), as well as “Leader of the Year” by the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club (1998).
Almost 50 years after graduating from high school, Dr. Alford was inducted into the Hillsborough High School Hall of Fame (1994). He is listed in Who’s Who in America, Millennium Edition (1999). In the year that Dr. Alford completed his 22-year service as President of Toccoa Falls College, the City of Toccoa and the Stephens County Board of Commissioners honored him by naming November 17th “Paul L. Alford Day.”
“Words are inadequate to completely capture all our thoughts and feelings regarding the life and ministry of Dr. Paul Alford. We are confident he is experiencing the indescribable sights, amazing fellowship, and incredible landscape of Heaven. He is saying to all of us: “Wait ‘til you see what I am seeing and feeling … It is more than I can imagine.”
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