By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 9, 2024 — When my cousin Norma Elliott, who lives in New York, called me on Thursday, February 1, with the very sad news that her brother and my cousin Alfred Elliott had died, the floodgate opened and tears flowed freely for several minutes. I have written on more than one occasion about how closely knit descendants of Benjamin and Mabel Elliott of Stanyard Creek, Andros, are as a family.
Alfred was the son of Clarence B. Elliott, the eldest child of Ben and Mabel Elliott. Uncle Clarence moved from Stanyard Creek as a young man to work in Nassau and built a house through Paul Meeres Corner, now known as Fleming Street, which became the Elliott Family homestead when members of the family relocated to Nassau. It still exists as a rental unit opposite what used to be Keith’s Chicken in the Bag take-out restaurant.
My mother, Violet Elliott–Brown, was the eldest daughter, followed by my Uncle Israel “Lee” Elliott, Uncle Audley Elliott, Aunt Amanda Elliott-Fox, Uncle Ashton Elliott, and Aunt Maria Elliott-Forbes
Uncle Clarence subsequently moved to New York — I think at some point during the 1940s – where my cousins the late Clarence Elliott Jr., the late Sandra Elliott-Coleman, Patricia Elliott-Horsford, Mabel Elliott Moultrie, Alfred and Norma were born. Norma and Alfred were brought up in Nassau by Aunt Maria, and Clarence, Jr., Sandra, Patricia and Mabel attended high school in Miami while living with my late Aunt Amanda Elliott-Fox and her husband Lawrence Fox. They all eventually moved back to New York when they graduated from high school.
The deaths of my grandparents, Ben and Mabel Elliott—first Mama and then Papa—when I was a little boy were my first experiences with the level of debilitating, excruciating pain that I felt when Norma informed me of Alfred’s death. We were very close because he and Norma grew up in Nassau with Aunt Maria, with whom I also lived during my teenage years.
Likewise, I also felt this same level of gut-wrenching pain when I heard about the death of my Aunt Sylvia Elliott Ross in August of 2012. Aunt Sylvia, who was actually my first cousin, was the daughter of Uncle Clarence, but because she and Aunt Maria were around the same age, they grew up like sisters and were life-long educators. Both were very instrumental in steering my life in the right direction during those formative years when young minds are so impressionable and vulnerable to inculcating life-long bad habits.
Alfred’s funeral service will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024, starting a 12 Noon at Metropolitan Funeral Service Portsmouth Chapel, 5605 Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth, Virginia. Interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3920 Airline Boulevard, Chesapeake, Virginia.
HERE’S A LINK TO ALFRED’S OBITUARY
Alfred Benjamin Elliott, known as Al, was born to the late Clarence Bernville Elliott, Sr., and Hortense Bell on May 1, 1956, in New York. Alfred moved to Nassau, Bahamas, at a very young age where his aunt, Maria Elliott Forbes (now deceased), raised him. He attended Western Junior School followed by Western Senior School, where he excelled in all subjects. He then went on to St. Augustine College (SAC) where he enjoyed singing in the school Chorus.
After graduating from SAC, Alfred returned to New York to live with his father and older siblings. He went to college out of state and in 1974; he served sometime in the Navy. Upon leaving the military, Alfred went on to work at Self Help Organization in Manhattan. Alfred enjoyed and loved spending time with his sisters and cousins, always the life of the party.
Another root of Alfred’s happiness was his wife and son. Alfred left everything behind in New York and moved to Portsmouth VA, saying to his siblings, “I have a son so I’m out of here guys”. He was a proud and loving father, which brought him much joy. He married his sweetheart, Mary Lee Riddick, and together raised their precious and beautiful son. In addition to spending time with Mary Lee and Terhan, Alfred loved playing with their three dogs; Bobo, Fefe, and Coco as they jumped up and down on Alfred while he worked on crossword puzzles especially Sudoku, which he loved. At other times, you would find Alfred at home watching football or basketball. He and his son Terhan spent many times together watching sports and competing in their BBQ skills which Alfred loved to do on weekends.
Alfred held numerous positions including the Volvo plant assembly line before moving on to work at the City of Portsmouth Waste Water Treatment Plan. Before retirement, Alfred worked as a Landscaper and then maintenance supervisor at an apartment complex.
Alfred fought a good fight here on earth, always staying positive throughout his illness. On February 1, 2024, Alfred died peacefully and went home to be with the Lord and Savior. He left a mark as witnessed by Bobby, one of the nursing staff who said of him, “It was such a privilege and honor to help care for your brother (Alfred). He was incredibly smart, funny, and charming. His memory lives on in our hearts forever.”
Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, and his son, Terhan. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Elliott; Siblings: Patricia Horsford, Mabel Elliott-Moultrie (Lee), Norma Elliott & Louise Boyd; Sisters-In Law: Ann Porter & Jean Brown; Brother-in-Law: Maurice, Douglas (Butch) & William (Shorty) Riddick; Nieces: Leonardette Ross, Mavis & Linda Sears, Amadi King & Verdell Porter; Nephews: Leonard Ross, Gerald Forbes, Father Deveraux King, Christopher Horsford; Cousins: Oswald Brown, Verona Missick (Ervin); Nicole Elliott, Jerome Elliott (Edris), Norbert Elliott (Angie), Jackie Gibson (Robert), Judy Dixon, Leslie, Stephen, Jeanette, Joan & Ethelyn Rolle. A host of other family and friends including; Earl Bastian, Calvin Terrence & wife, Alice Henderson, Duane Eason & wife, SAC class of 1972. A special thanks to the physicians and host of nursing staff, especially Bobby Snow & Darcy Torres of 5th floor South Stepdown unit at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.
https://metropolitanfuneralservice.com/memorial/alfred-benjamin-elliott/
CAPTION: From left to right seated- Pat Horsford & Mary Lee Elliott (wife). From left to right standing- Joan Rolle (cousin), Mabel Elliott-Moultrie, Alfred Elliott, Christopher Horsford, Norma Elliott & Jackie Gibson (cousin).
