Mary Lou Ella Alford

Mary Lou Ella Alford was born on April 11, 1935, in Beckley, West Virginia to the late Howard David and Ann Margaret (Flint) Reitz.  She passed away on January 13, 2022 at the age of 86 in Beaver, West Virginia.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her late husband Jack Alford and her parents David and Ann.  She leaves behind to cherish her memory her step-son Jackie Alford; brother David Reitz; nieces Ashley (Justin) Boyce and Pamela Upton.

Mary Lou graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1953 and from there she attended nursing school at University of Virginia. Mary Lou went on to achieve boundless accomplishments in her nursing career where she served as a public health nurse in WV & NC, she worked as a diabetic educator, and Associate Director of nursing just to name a few of her many roles in nursing. In 1977, she took a position at New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington where she served as Director of Nursing from 1977 to 1990. In 1989, Mary Lou was selected as one of "The Great 100 Registered Nurses in 1989". It was while working at New Hanover Hospital, that Mary Lou met her husband, Jack Alford. She took an early retirement in 1990 so that she and Jack could enjoy their shared love of travel together. 

Mary Lou and Jack shared a love and dedication to their church and church family at Masonboro Baptist Church which they attended with their son Jackie. 

Per Mary Lou’s wishes, she will be cremated and laid to rest at Masonboro Baptist Church Cemetery with her late husband Jack.  Services will be held in Wilmington, NC on January 25, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Masonboro Baptist Church. 

 As Mary Lou was a lover of her church and animals, the family is requesting that any gifts wished to be made to honor Mary Lou go to Masonboro Baptist Church, your local Animal Shelter or to your local Hospice. Words of comfort and condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.meltonmortuary.com

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