In late 1956, Charles B. Gordon represented the McComb Enterprise-Journal at the annual meeting to select the All-Big Eight Conference football team.
Dad convinced sports reporters from newspapers in other Mississippi cities in the now-long-defunct Big Eight that a 165-pound offensive guard on McComb High School’s team deserved the league’s Most Outstanding Lineman award for the 1956 season.
Warner Alford’s legend as a Mississippi intercollegiate football player, coach and administrator grew from there. He signed to play at Ole Miss, starting three years on Rebel teams that had a 29-3-1 record for the 1958-59-60 seasons and claimed the 1960 Football Writers Association of America Grantland Rice Trophy, the national championship.
Those so-called “Glory Days” at Ole Miss were heady stuff for Warner and his teammates, but the best thing Alford did in Oxford was to meet and later marry Kay Swayze, the daughter of Rebel football recruiter (and baseball coach) Tom Swayze.
Warner and Kay Swayze Alford enjoyed a 64-year marriage until her death on Feb. 3. She was 85.
I’ve always admired comprehensive obituaries, and someone wrote a fine one on Kay’s life, beautifully describing her marriage and faith walk:
“Kay was devoted to Warner ... She was his helpmate, spiritual companion, champion, friend and support,” the obituary said. “Most importantly, his strong prayer warrior.
“Being the wife of a coach, athletic director, and alumni director takes a special person. Kay hosted countless ballgame parties in their home for friends and alumni — win or lose. She attended Ole Miss games in every sport for many seasons.
“Kay routinely accompanied Warner to alumni meetings, sports banquets, and university ceremonies. She attended Ole Miss games in every sport for many seasons.
“… Despite her busy schedule, nothing took priority over her relationship with her Heavenly Father after she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in 1971. She walked with her Lord faithfully for more than 50 years … Kay knew she was here on His earth for no other reason than to have communion with God and share Him with everyone.
“She was true to scripture in that she loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. She was a strong prayer warrior. When you asked her to pray about a need in your life, she stopped and prayed on the spot …”
The accounts of Warner Alford’s college and professional working years are marked by truly high accomplishments. But I’m guessing he’d say he’s just as proud of their three children and seven grandchildren, plus a moment in their lives that came in an unprecedented photograph of them as Ole Miss students that appeared in Sports Illustrated” magazine in 1960.
On two full pages, it showed Warner and Kay striding across the school’s campus. It’s one of the most unforgettable scenes ever shown on those hallowed pages.
Kay and Warner Alford in recent years, above, and in their 1960 Sports Illustrated photo, below. (Photos submitted)
When learning of Kay’s death, I posted this on social media: “Warner and Kay Alford became the Methodist Youth Fellowship group’s leaders at our church in McComb, Centenary United Methodist, after Ole Miss. He had come home … to help run the family department store, Denman-Alford, but he couldn’t get away from football and helped out as a volunteer assistant coach at McComb High.
“... He left the store and went all football, coaching at several colleges including Ole Miss and Georgia Tech. Warner and I were great friends and our fathers were even closer. There never would have been an ‘Ole Miss Spirit’ publication without him.
“We played together on Centenary teams in church league basketball and he never saw a shot he didn’t like or take … Please read Kay’s wonderful obituary (Waller, Oxford). She was such a beautiful person in every way.”
Mac Gordon, a native of McComb, is a retired newspaperman. He can be reached at macmarygordon@gmail.com.
