Mr. Jermaine Darnell Alford

ALFORD, Mr. Jermaine Darnell - age 30, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2014 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. with memorial service commencing at 2:30 p.m. Charles Montgomery presiding, Evangelist Janice Hill Message of Hope. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home 1:30 p.m. Friday. Mr. Alford will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday. “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may console and cheer and encourage and strengthen your hearts.” -Ephesians 6:22 Jermaine Darnell Alford, known as “Blaze” to friends and fans of his music, was born to Glenda and Larry Alford on July 23, 1983, in Flint, MI. He attended Northwestern High School, where he played Running Back and Nose Tackle until his junior year. His peers got a kick out of such a small person doing such a big job. He confessed to his mother that Christ Jesus was his Savior and strove to learn of Christ and follow Him, especially during his last days on earth. He was baptized at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1992 and sang in the Youth Choir. The family discovered hand written notes in the Bible his grandmother gave him, especially highlighting Psalms of praise and deliverance including Psalm 6:1-10. Jermaine was a talented musician and a lover of people, particularly those Christ spoke of as “the least of these.” He always expressed gladness and genuine interest in the well-being of others; and was best described as a “people person.” Jermaine recorded 4 albums with his brother, LaRon, and the two of them traveled many places throughout the United States together performing their music. People were amazed by his musical gifts and called him a very special talent. Jermaine Alford leaves to mourn his loss and cherish the memory of his life: 2 sons, Jaquayvion (4 years old) and Jaquarius (3 years old) Watson; mother, Glenda (Brent)Echols; father, Larry Alford; sister, Larrisha Alford; 4 brothers, Larry Berry of San Antonio, TX, Antonio (MeeO’Shee) Nelson, Laron Warren, and Deandre Alford all of Flint; grandmother, Carolyn (Welton) Lewis of Flint; grandfather, Harold (Georgia) Warren of Chicago, IL; aunt, Earlene Alford of Flint; 3 uncles, Gregory Alford of Norfolk, VA, Donnie Russell of Dansville, IL, and Gerald Russell of Little Rock, AR; 2 great aunts, Bettie Loving of Shreveport, LA and Dr. Vivian (James) Elliott of Denver, CO; great uncle, Dr. Wilbert (Zeferene) Gamble of Corvallis, OR; god mother, Gladys Jackson of Flint; many nieces and nephews and cousins including special cousin, Torenzo Mills, mother of his children, DaQuindra Watson, 3 special friends, Ricco Jones, Napoleon Ford II and Solomon Lewis all of Flint. Jermaine Darnell Alford was preceded in death by: his great grandparents, Clara Mae and Willie James Cobb; grandparents, Helen and Earl Alford; 3 aunts, Sandra Wilson, Annette Alford, Brenda Faye Craig; 3 uncles, Benjamin Russell, Earl Alford, Jr., Robert “Bobbie” Alford; and special uncle, Willie James Cobb, Jr. The family would like to express special thanks to neighbors and friends in University Park Estates, members and friends and Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, and Lawrence E. Moon and staff for their love and support during this difficult time.

Mr. Jermaine Darnell Alford

July 23, 1983 - May 25, 2014