Merle Alford, 77, of the Wilton Community passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at her home.
Born in Granville County on March 16, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Coolidge Blackley and Ella Pearce Blackley.
Merle retired from Durham Public Schools and spent her entire career as a Teacher's Assistant at Merrick-Moore Elementary School. Merle was also a beautician. She ran a salon in her home when they lived in Durham. After retirement and moving to the Wilton Community she worked at FBC Academy. She was a loving wife and mother but enjoyed her title as Maw Maw to her two grandsons more than anything. She loved being outside. She loved flowers, especially growing her Zinnias, vegetable garden and mowing grass. She was an excellent cook, and her dishes were always welcomed at family gatherings. There was always a place at her table for anyone at her home.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Banks Methodist Church. Officiants will be Rev. Anita James-Carnes and Rev. Ray Gooch. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors include her husband of fifty-five years, Mike Alford; one daughter, Dawn Gooch (Eddie); one daughter-in-law, Penny Rogers (Kenny); two grandsons, Rusty Gooch and Collin Alford and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Michael Wayne Alford and one sister, Melba Carol Blackley.
The family will receive friends Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall at Banks Methodist Church and other times at her home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Banks Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 1276, Creedmoor, NC 27522 or to Pruitt Health Hospice, 301 S. Church St. Suite 135, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Creedmoor. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.