Mother Fannie Maye Alford (Carr), beloved Matriarch of the Alford family, a life-long resident of South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 83. She was born on December 12, 1940, in South Bend, Indiana. Fannie was a self-made entrepreneur who owned several successful businesses throughout her life, including a cleaning company, tailor shoppe, gift basket company, doll bed company, Raggedy Ann and Andy doll company, Dashiki shirt company, custom scarf business, custom carpet business and she was also a talented artist and author. At the age of 70, she pursued higher education at Ivy Tech Community College and earned an Associate's Degree in Business with Honors. 

 Fannie was a dedicated member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church and later Evolve Church of Milwaukee WI, where she found solace and community. In her free time, she enjoyed writing, doing puzzles, sewing, designing, hosting pageants and fashion shows, gardening, visiting the casino, and expressing her creativity through art. 

 She is survived by her sister, Artricia (Pat) Johnson and children: Lena Harley, Vida Harley-Harris (Edward), Eugene Poe, Lillian Palmer(Kenny), Clarissa Mcgee, Jeanie Carr, and David Carr, along with 34 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Fannie was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Nelson, her parents Other and  Amanda (Butler) Alford Sr, brothers Frank Alford, A-Ja- Ma-Fu Muhammad (Oather Alford Jr.), and Arthur Alford, and sister Mandy Martin-Andrews. 

Fannie's legacy of hard work, entrepreneurship, and love for her family will forever be cherished and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in peace.