ALFONZA JANUARY OBITUARY

Reverend Alfonza January, Sr. 1956-2022 Reverend Alfonza January, Sr., "a praying man, a preaching man and peacemaker," entered God's great creation called Earth on February 1, 1956, to the late Robert Lee and Odessa Robinson January in Birmingham, Alabama. This humble man, matriculated in the Birmingham City School System, and graduated from Wenonah High School in the Class of 1974. Reverend January furthered his education at Bessemer Technical College and his theological studies at the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College. After hearing God's voice calling him into the ministry on July 14, 1977, he preached his first public sermon that same year at Old Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church. In September 1983, Reverend January accepted the call of shepherding the flock at Old Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where he pastored faithfully for over 39 years. He was loved and cherished by his church family, as well as the community, in the political arena, and the City of Bessemer. In June 1982, Reverend January met the love of his life, Mollie Ruth Cockrell. He was a family man, who loved his family and all his siblings. Reverend January was a "Butcher Extraordinaire". He was employed with H. L. Green in Birmingham, Alabama. He later was employed with Piggly Wiggly for 33 years as the Market Manager and thereafter, this year he retired from Evans Meats of Birmingham, Alabama after four years of dedicated service. He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted and loving wife of 39 years, Mollie Ruth January; three daughters, Christina Jones of Birmingham, AL, Tonesha Smith of Fort Worth, TX and Janika January of Helena, AL; son, Alfonza January, Jr. of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren, Vyuana Jones, Nelliyah Smith both of Birmingham, AL, Janiya Smith of Helena, AL, Miyuki January, August January, and Diesel Smith, all of Fort Worth, TX; sisters, Earline J. Mays of Bessemer, AL, Carolyn F. Johnson of Detroit, MI and Cassandra January of Birmingham, AL; brothers, Paul E. January of Bessemer, AL, Lee Arthur January of Midfield, AL, Lawrence (Peggy) January of Kathleen, GA, Tyrone (LaMartra) January of Birmingham, AL and Melvin Robinson of Detroit, MI; sisters-in-law, Deborah Robinson of Brighton, AL, Jackie Russell of Tulsa, OK and Regina Pickens of Birmingham, AL; god sisters-in-law, Mary Browning of Hueytown, AL and Felicia (Rev. Roderick) Sailes of Calera, AL; twenty-seven nieces and nephews, a host of great nieces and nephews and cousins. Along with a bonus son, Da'Quan Robinson, the entire membership of Old Saint Paul Baptist Church, and friends. "His Appointment" came, he demonstrated, "for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21). And he answered the question, "If a man die, shall he live again " (Job 14:14). Reverend Alfonza January, Sr. celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 Noon, December 3, 2022 at New Bethlehem Baptist Church (17300 11th Avenue, North) with burial in Highland Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Friday, December 2, 2022, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Chambers Funeral Home Chapel.

Published by The Birmingham News from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2022.Alfonza January Obituary (2022) - Bessemer, AL - The Birmingham News

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