Martha Alford celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at the First Baptist Church.
Growing up in Littlefield, she worked on her dad’s farm. Alford’s father, Albert Neuenschwander, went on to build the then-City Hall, now-Police Station. He has a plaque with his name on it sitting at the cornerstone of the building.
Martha has had a slew of jobs in her life, including being a dorm parent for eight and a half years at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, although now it is a girls’ and boys’ ranch. She also worked at First Federal for 19 and a half years and she was a secretary for two years at the Chamber of Commerce.
“When I was the secretary at the chamber of commerce, Waylon Jennings was just beginning and I let him and his band, I guess, into the community center down there in the park,” Alford said. While Alford was a secretary for the Chamber of Commerce, she met her husband next door at the Western Union.
“Western Union was right next door, and my future husband came to visit his sister-in-law,” Alford said. “That was in the Western Union, where we met. Six months later, we were married.”
Together, they had four children and 53 years of marriage. Alford said the key to a long and happy marriage is to trust in each other.
In her free time, Alford loves to read Christian mysteries. She also reads her Bible every day and her devotional.
Alford is also the grandmother of nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She said the secret to living a long and happy life is loving her Lord, Jesus Christ, and loving her family.
Sherry Alford, Martha’s daughter, said she could not have asked for a better mother.
“She’s selfless, she’s loving. She’s always there when we need her,” Sherry said.
FAMILY PHOTO, Page 2 Swimmers ride the lazy river at the Littlefield Aquatic Center during the Splash Bash Back to School Party Thursday, August 12, 2022. (Photo by Ann Reagan)