Athens murder victim remembered as hard working family man

By Joe Johnson

His obituary provides a glimpse at the life that 42-year-old Rodney Alford had before it was ended this month in an Athens homeless camp.

He was found shot to death on April 17th in the wooded encampment near Danielsville and Hull roads and another homeless man has been “ with his murder.

According to the obituary, Alford had been born in Demorest and he went on to be a devoted son, father, brother, and “steadfast member of his community,”

“Rodney lived a life marked by integrity, hard work, and kindness,” the obit said, and he “dedicated much of his professional life as a clerk with Dollar General, where he was known for his reliability, attention to detail, and his welcoming presence to customers and colleagues alike. His commitment to his work exemplified his strong work ethic and sincere desire to contribute positively to those around him.”

The obituary concluded by saying, “Rodney embraced the teachings of the Baptist church, which provided him spiritual grounding and comfort throughout his life. His faith was a guiding light, shaping his values and the compassionate way he interacted with others.”