Aja Akua Alford

Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away To a land where joy shall never end, I'll fly away Aja Akua Alford was born on May 20, 1991 at Howard County Hospital, Columbia, Maryland to Lloyd and Judy Alford. She was then followed by two brothers, Alexander Amiri in 1992 and Andre Lloyd in 1996. Aja spent the early years of her life in Columbia and Elliott City, Maryland. The family moved to Florida in 2000, first to Tavares, Florida and then moved to Gainesville in 2004. She attended Fort Clarke Middle School and graduated from Buchholz high School in 2009, where she was inducted into the Spanish Honor Society. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences. She furthered her education receiving a Master's Degree in Public Health in 2017. From an early age, Aja had a love for animals and children. As a child, she would often pretend to be a teacher, lining up her dolls as classroom students. She maintained hopes to become a veterinarian. Aja was baptized in 2002 at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in Eustis, Florida. As a high school student, she attended Mount Carmel Baptist Church. Aja was an intelligent, helpful and loving woman with a fun and sometimes biting sense of humor. She was well loved by family, friends, and colleagues. She left us much too soon. Left to honor Aja's memory are her parents Lloyd Alford and Judy Lightsey-Alford of Gainesville, FL, brothers, Alexander Alford, New York City, NY, and Andre Alford, Gainesville, FL; her grandmother, Louise Lightsey, Gainesville, FL; aunt, Sherry Lightsey, Gainesville, FL; uncle, Andre Lightsey, Philadelphia, PA; cousins, Rose Marie Butler-Jackson (Calvert), Society Hill, SC, Danielle Smalls (Edward) of Springfield Gardens, NY, and Inez Dodge (Benjamin), Satsuma, FL, as well as many other relatives and friends. "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." Psalm 49:15 Written In Sorrow, The Family Visitation for Ms. Alford will be Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Family Life Center, 2505 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32641. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Rev. Destin Williams, Pastor, Officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, all in attendance are asked to please wear a facial covering. Family and friends are asked to meet at 9:15 AM, at the home of her parents, 6014 NW 58th Place, Gainesville, FL 32653 to form the Cortege. Arrangements Entrusted to the Care of Chestnut Funeral Home. Cards may be sent to 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. To order floral arrangements, please visit www.chestnutfh.com/obituary/ajaalford. Any questions may be directed to 855-5-CHESTNUT. "A CHESTNUT SERVICE"

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Aja Akua Alford

May 20, 1991 - February 28, 2022