Rev. Eugene Murray Wardford Sr.

In Loving Memory Of; Eugene Murray Wardford, Sr. was born on June 2, 1959 to the union of Taylor and Esther Wardford. He was the youngest of six children and the only male with which his parents were blessed. As he was growing up, he was showered with love and affection by his parents and sisters. In December of 1988 he was united in marriage to Charmaine Altimus. They were blessed with two sons, Eugene Murray Wardford II and Jeremy Joseph Wardford. He loved his sons and was proud of all of their accomplishments. He considered them the greatest blessings in his life. Eugene's education began, but did not end in the Detroit Public School System. With the encouragement of his family. He was an active and successful student who grew a love for sports and music throughout his school years and eventually graduated from Edwin C. Denby High School. He continued his education by stepping out on faith and attending Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. His mother, according to him, put him on a Greyhound bus with $1, a chicken sandwich, a slice of pound cake and a heavy dose of faith. Their faith, accompanied by his hard work, was rewarded and he graduated with his bachelor of Arts Degree in 1981. He continued his education at the Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He received his Master of Divinity Degree in 1986. At the age of seventeen, while a member of the St. Johns CME Church under the leadership of the Rev. Henry R. Delaney, he accepted the call to preach. He was later ordained a Deacon and then an Elder under the leadership of Bishop Henry C. Bunton and Bishop Elijah P. Murchison respectively. While at Lane, Eugene became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and remained a proud and active member throughout his lifetime. He was also a member of the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge and became a 32nd Degree Master Mason. Eugene's first appointment was as the Assistant Pastor of St. Johns CME Church under Rev. Henry R. Delaney. He pastored throughout his years at Lane College. His first church was located in Paris, Tennessee. After completing his education, he had the privilege of pastoring a number of CME churches. Among them were Lane Memorial in Jackson, Michigan; Missionary Temple, Detroit, Michigan and his last charge Allen Temple in Detroit. He worked hard to enhance the spiritual growth of the members and to improve the physical plant of each of the churches he pastored. His motto for Sunday service was " I don't want to keep you long but I want to make you strong, cause I do not know what you are going to face next week." Pastor Wardford joined the Michigan National Guard as part of his effort to serve his country. As a member of the National Guard, he served a tour of duty in Germany and participated in a number of other Guard activities. He retired after 20 years of service. Outside of the service he gave as a pastor, he had a varied career. He served as a Chaplain for the following organizations the Detroit Police Department, the Detroit Medical Center and the Michigan Department of Corrections working "inside the walls" at Jackson Prison. He later became a parole officer for the State of Michigan and was later chosen to work the Fugitive Apprehension Program in conjunction with the Detroit Police Department. He was also active in his community, volunteering with the Southfield Emergency Management for Public Safety. He was particularly proud of his work with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1677. Several of the young men in the troop, including his son Eugene, became Eagle Scouts. Eugene was the nephew of the late Bishop William H. Graves who served as the Senior Bishop of the CME church prior to his retirement. He greatly admired his uncle and sought to have a career of outstanding service to the Lord and the church as his uncle did during his years of service in the ministry.

Rev. Eugene Murray Wardford Sr.

June 2, 1959 - January 7, 2020