MELVIN “BLUE” SHUFFORD
Melvin “Blue” Shufford was born March 24, 1931 in Conecuh County to the late Earl and Ruthie Mae Shufford.
Mr. Shufford accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age in the Church of the Living God. Bro. Shufford faithfully served on the Trustee Board at the Church of the Living God in McKenzie for many years. He was also known for singing in a male singing group called the Salem Travelers. He was educated in the Butler County School System.
Mr. Shufford was the first African American Mayor of the town of McKenzie and of Butler County. He also served on the McKenzie City Council and the McKenzie Water Board for many years. He was well known for working as a janitor at McKenzie High School, his farming endeavors and playing/coaching softball. Mr. Shufford also had a great love for McKenzie athletics and could be found on Friday nights during football season watching his great grandson play football.
He met and married the love of his life, Ms. Myra Bell Howard. They were united in holy matrimony on Aug. 20, 1949. To this union, three beautiful children were born. Preceding his death was his son Claude Shufford.
He leaves to cherish his wonderful memories, a dedicated, devoted and loving wife of sixty-seven years Mrs. Myra Bell Shufford; two daughters, Annie Shufford and Geraldine Shufford Pettway, both of McKenzie; six grandchildren, Bobby Shufford, Robert (Tiffany) Shufford, Eric (Diana) Owen, and Shannon (Kelley) Shufford all of McKenzie, Mark (Sylvia) Shufford of Clarksville, Tenn. and Willie Pettway of Baton Rouge; three sisters, Ethel Belland of Pensacola, Lillie Thompson and Lillie Butler, both of Detroit; two brothers, George Shufford of Detroit and Mack Shufford of Akron, Ohio; eight sisters-in-law; six brothers-in-law; twelve great-grandchildren, Shaniyah, Kayla, Shantell, Ky’ara, Chris, Nianee, Markeece, Willie, Kami, Zachary, Cayden and Cayleigh; one god-daughter Zaniya Fails; two special friends Claude Davison and Max Roper; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Interment took place at New Oak Grove Cemetery in McKenzie and repass was held at Church of the Living God Fellowship Hall in McKenzie.