Ralph Hamilton Alford

Ralph Hamilton Alford, 71, of Ridgeland, passed away at his home on July 27. 

Ralph was born on March 3, 1952, to Herman “Bud” Alford and Alma Hamilton Alford in Kosciusko, Mississippi. 

After graduating as salutatorian from H. V. Cooper High School in Vicksburg, he went on to study Accounting at Mississippi College in Clinton. Ralph graduated from Mississippi College in 1974 and immediately started work at DeMiller, Denny, Word, and Company (which later became Harper, Raines, Knight, and Company), kickstarting a 43-year career as a Certified Public Accountant. His specialty was Taxation with an emphasis in Oil and Gas, for which he was a renowned expert. 

He retired from Harper, Raines, Knight, and Company in 2017 as a partner in the firm. Ralph was preceded in death by his father and mother. 

He is survived by his wife, Karen Alford of Ridgeland; stepdaughter Candace Slawson of Canton; stepson Alex Slawson (Jerry) of Huntersville, NC; brothers Allen Alford (Roberta) of Orlando, FL, and Steve Alford of Vicksburg; sister Lynn Alford of Vicksburg; several nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces; numerous cousins; and, his beloved dachshund, Maggie. No services are planned at this time. 

The family requests that donations be made either to Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) Mississippi or the Mississippi Animal Rescue League.