Alpha Jean McCurry Basford, 77, peacefully passed away on May 23, 2014 with her loving children by her side. A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 11:00 A.M at First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, 118 N. Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 building D.

Born in 1937 in Jellico TN to Pearl Alice McCurry and Amos Hershel McCurry, she was tenderly raised by her mother and Stepfather John Clayton Jones. Growing up in the shadows of the Cumberland Mountains, Alpha Jean grew a lifelong bond with her five brothers and sisters: Alice Lajoel Langhard, the late Jerry Mack McCurry, Morris Hershel McCurry, Bertie Lynn Krahn, and Sally Sue Cavender. In 1953, the family left the small mining town and moved to Dayton Ohio where Alpha embarked upon a successful career working for AT&T as a telephone operator.

After following her parents to Daytona Beach, Florida in the early 70's, Alpha married the love of her life, the late Donald Basford of Welaka, Florida. Alpha and Donald first met while attending First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach and have grown cherished friendships over the years. The two of them were inseparable, traveling together to Eastern Europe and South America on mission trips spreading the gospel of Jesus and helping those in need.

Always hand-in-hand, the two loved gardening, camping, and spending time with their family: Jim Jollie and his wife April, sons Matthew and Brad, New Smyrna Beach Fl; Allison and Christopher Custead and their children Gabriella and Eziekiel, Ormond Beach Fl; Sherry and Mark Blaylock, Sara and Kevin Stutts, Ormond Beach Fl; Larry Estes and his daughter Sabrina Ormond Fl; Sharon and Chuck Morton and children, Fort Mills South Carolina; Bobby and Shirley Basford, Welaka Fl; Amy and Herman Owen, Interlarken Fl; Deloris Lightener, Akron Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews that loved her dearly.

Those left to cherish Alpha's loving memory will fondly remember large holiday dinners with too much food, picking vegetables in the garden, playing hide-n-seek, bowling, and spending time at local parks with her grandchildren. She always had time for family, friends, and anyone in need. Alpha would greet you with a smile and a hug, and will be lovingly remembered by all.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Alpha, may you and Donald tenderly stroll in heaven's garden, hand-in-hand, forever in love, peaceful at last.