Church service honors minister injured, wife killed in Lake Gaston murder, arson

Dr. Nancy Alford’s Sunday school classroom sat empty this weekend, as did her husband’s chair in the pulpit. For members at the Sanford Memorial Baptist Church in Brodnax, Va., the reason for Nancy and John Alford’s absence was unfathomable.

“It was devastating what we heard. She was a wonderful lady,” said church member Della Taylor.

Nancy Alford, 79, was a dedicated Sunday school teacher for 17 years until Friday, when authorities said two masked intruders burst into her Littleton home and kidnaped her. One of the suspects took her to a bank in Roanoke Rapids and forced her to withdraw cash. The other suspect stayed with her husband, authorities said.

When Nancy Alford returned to the home, authorities said the intruders beat the couple, tied them up and set fire to the home.

John Alford escaped and was being treated at Duke University Hospital, but Nancy Alford never made it out.

“We rejoice that Nancy is in heaven, because the Lord says that I go to prepare a place for you and I come again to receive you as myself,” Taylor said.

As John Alford remains hospitalized, church members gathered Sunday morning to pray for his recovery and console each other.

“Our prayer, I think at this point, is that our pastor heals and everything and that he can come back to us,” church member Pamela Ezell said.

Church officials said John Alford was in stable condition Sunday, but sustained second-degree burns and will need a skin graft.

Police said the intruders stole the Alford’s car, a gray Mercedes, which has not been located.