Aletha Kay Shamburger Alford


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May 18th, 2008

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  • Death Date: May 18, 2008

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Biography: Aletha Kay Shamburger Alford, of Little Rock, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 18, 2008 after a lengthy battle with Multi System Atrophy. Kay was born October 29, 1951 in Little Rock. She attended Trinity Episcopal Day School, Forest Heights Jr. High and Hall High before moving with her family to Wheaton, IL in 1969, where a year later she graduated from Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, IL. She went on to graduate from The University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree, having majored in Nursing. After becoming an RN she worked at St. Vincent’s Infirmary where she was head nurse of Neurology/Neurosurgery. In 1986 she married Dale Alford. They made their home in Southbury, CT where their son Tad was born in 1988. While living in Connecticut Kay was a head nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital, in New Haven, CT. Kay returned to Little Rock with their son in 1989 after her husband’s death. In 1991, she opened Wycoff Coffee Company, owning and operating it for a number of years. She continued her nursing career at McClellan V.A. Hospital, Baptist Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Pain Center before retiring due to her own illness. Kay was a compassionate caregiver all her life and was loved by all who knew her. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and several Bible study groups. She was a loving mother and will be missed by all. Her husband, Thomas Dale Alford, Jr., her sister, Anne Shamburger Martin, her brother, John F. Shamburger and all of her grandparents, preceded Kay in death. She is survived by her son, Thomas Dale Alford, III, her parents Georgia W. and Paul E. Luehr of Little Rock and John K. and Virginia Shamburger of Fairfield Bay. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Sally Shamburger Stevens and Jim Stevens, her brother Jeffrey W. Shamburger, her half brother J. Michael Shamburger, her step-sisters Cheryl Luehr Flaatten and Gayle Luehr, her sister-in-law Anne Alford Winans and her nieces and nephews Rob Goss, Fontaine Goss Leonard, Melissa Martin Cook, Jeffrey Martin, William Winans and Alex Winans, as well as her beloved pets, Miss Muphet and Tigger. The family would like to make a special thank you to Marilyn Miller, Carolyn Owen, Dickinson Family, Helen Bond, Margo Cameron, Judith Findley, Soundra Thompson, Karen McCann, John Seawright, Billie Tanner, Terri Gaines and everyone else who helped Kay through her illness. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with burial following at Mt. Holly Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the Funeral at 10:00 AM in Morrison Hall at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Funeral arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(10)
Lloyd and Margie Bryan
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We have countless memories of Kay as a youth at First Baptist Church. I had the privilege of being her Sunday School teacher, GA leader, and also knowing her as a sweet guest at parties and youth events at Church and in our home. She was always smiling and happy. We loved her very much and extend our deep sympathy to all her family.
Mary Jane Barth
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
John, Jenny & Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during these moments of loss you are suffering through. Words seems meaningless! When the healing begins you will have these messages of love and caring to lean on.
God Bless All!
Jane
Bill and Marvelle Harmon
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Our deepest sympathies to your family at your loss. Please know that our prayers are with you all.
Donna, Phil, Hallie Funkhouser and Juanita Mallett
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I have known Kay since I was 8 years old. We grew up together in First Baptist Church, in Little Rock Arkansas. We went on many church camps together, had many sleepovers at Janet Bryan's house and Marilyn Dickinson's house and her house of course and went to school for many years together... We loved Kay very much and will miss her but have many memories that we will hold dear to our hearts.

She will be missed by all, Donna, Phil, Hallie & Juanita
Victoria Frantz Holton
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Kay and I went to church together at First Baptist in Little Rock. I moved away from Little Rock in 1978 and have not seen Kay since our days at First Baptist. But I do remember that Kay was so kind and sweet to everyone. She is blessed to be free of pain now and to be with the Lord. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Judy Toler Aylor
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was a good friend of Anne's. I roomed with her at OBU and was a bridesmaid in her wedding. I visited in the Shamburger home many times and remember Kay very well. I was saddened to read of her death this morning and wish to send my condolences to the family. Judy Pennington Aylor
Robert Kelly-Goss
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
When Dale first introduced me to Kay I was 15. He introduced her to me as his angel. I grew up with Kay. She, along with Dale, was always there for me when I needed family. I have fond memories of eating custard and watching PBS so many years ago. And of course, later, working for Kay at the coffee house. I loved watching from the altar at my wedding as Kay ran down the aisle after Tad who was running to be with us, muttering something about a king and queen, Kay's face slightly flushed with embarrassment. All I could do was smile and laugh because it was so wonderful for them to be there. Kay was a very important part of my life and I loved her. She was my aunt, a true family member through and through. She will be missed. Rob
Joanne Ligon Williamson
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am friends with Carolyn and Marilyn and the Dickinson family. I have been with Kay on many social occasions and she was a special, warm lady. I am sorry for all that she has been through over the past years. I will miss her. She is no longer in pain and is in peace.
Rev. Susan and Rev. Wm. Flemr
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
It has been my privilege to get to know Kay during this past year. I know that she will be missed greatly by all who love her. We pray for God's strength and comfort for her parents, John and Jenny, Georgia and Paul, her son, Tad, her sister, Sally, her brother Jeff and all her many other relatives and friends. Peace be with you~ Pastor Sue
Pat Myers
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
The Reed, Myers and Duffy families extend our heartfelt condolenses to John, Jenny, Tad and the extended family. Kay was a wonderful person and we know she will be missed.

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