Mouriel Taweel Alford fell asleep in the Lord Wednesday July 10, 2013. She lived her life devoted to all her family, friends, and faith throughout her life. Born on September 7, 1920 of immigrant parents the Reverend George and Mary Taweel, Mouriel grew up in Beaumont in a community of love and support that she treasured throughout her life.
During her childhood, her father George was the priest at St. Michael Orthodox Church and also served at many missions across the state of Texas. Her parents’ dedication to the church was the foundation of her home that was passed on to her as well as her other eight siblings. Those experiences instilled a lifelong commitment of serving the church where she participated in the choir and served in many capacities of the Ladies Auxiliary.
On January 25, 1941, she married Felton Herbert Alford, and four years later, they would welcome a beautiful daughter, Sandra to this world. Upon returning to Beaumont from a naval deployment in California, Mouriel setup up “Alford’s Beauty Shop”, where she manicured, shampooed, and coiffed her friends and clients.
In their retirement, Mouriel and Felton retired to their lake home outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Their home became a refuge during the summers for so many members of her family over the years. Her sisters, nieces, nephews, and especially her immediate family all have the fondest memories of their summers on the lake. She and her husband were a source of joy for their entire family and everyone sincerely treasures those times in their lives.
She taught her family the importance of love, fellowship, and truly having fun. From card games to passing down family cooking secrets, Tita or Aunt “Mo” was always the life of the party. Her matter of fact nature and gleaming smile was a magnet to everyone that met her and her ability to make us laugh will be remembered forever. All of us are blessed to have spent time with her; she influenced so many lives through her love for family and friends. We are so grateful for the way she has touched our lives and will cherish every memory that she made.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Moses and her husband, Donald; two grandchildren, Monica Agostinelli and her husband, Christopher, of Missouri City and Patrice Megas and her husband, Stavros, of Lumberton; great-grandchildren, Annalise and Aiden Agostinelli of Missouri City, and Ethan Megas of Lumberton; sister, Evelyn T. Griffith; her dear friend, Doris Debes; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. George and Mary Taweel; her husband, Felton Herbert Alford; brothers, Abie and Mike Taweel; and sisters, Lorraine Angelo, Helen Angelo, Edna Marshall, Virginia Attra, and Josephine Shadid.
The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the staff and health care providers at Harbor Hospice House. The gracious nurturing of both the physical and spiritual health will always be remembered and greatly appreciated.
A gathering of Mrs. Alford’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 12, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Trisagion will follow at 7:00 p.m., Friday evening at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 680 North 15th Street, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 13, 2013, at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, with interment to follow at St. Michael Orthodox Cemetery, Beaumont. Christopher Agostinelli, Robert Attra, Dr. William Attra, Dr. Gary Baine, Ken Griffith, Stavros Megas, Donald Moses, and Colonel Al Nahas will serve as pallbearers.
If you wish to honor Mrs. Alford’s memory, please consider a donation to The Harbor Foundation P.O. Box 21463 Beaumont, Texas 77720 or to St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 680 North 15th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.
