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History of J.A. Alford Elementary
James Arthur Alford, son of James Alvin Alford and Emma Kelley Alford, was born
in the Bethesda Community on February 24, 1894. The fourth of nine children,
young Arthur, along with his brothers and sisters, attended the original
Bethesda School, located next to the Bethesda United Methodist Church.
Education was important to the Alford family, All of the children attended
college, with the older siblings supporting the younger ones. Arthur attended
Georgia Tech, and served in the Navy during World War I before returning to the
classroom as a teacher.
Arthur taught at his alma mater, Bethesda School as did brother Walter and
sister Alice. All of J.A. Alford's children and grandchildren attended the
school, and his daughter, Carolyn Beaty, taught at the original Bethesda School
for 19 years. During World War II, Arthur's wife, Celia, helped to organize a
Victory Garden to grow food for the school lunchroom.
In addition to teaching, Arthur served as comptroller for a chain of general
merchandise stores that he operated with his brothers and sisters. Stores were
located in Gloster, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Scottdale, Fayetteville,
Palmetto, Douglasville, and Duluth. The Gloster store, where Arthur often
worked, was the only general store between Lawrenceville and Lilburn. People
came from miles around for everything they needed from seeds to food to
clothing. If the customers didn't have enough money to cover their purchases,
Arthur worked with them to trade goods and services so they might get the
store-bought items they needed. The store also housed the post office, so it was
the center of life in the Gloster community.
A leader in his community, Arthur was chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of
Education and director of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. He was
instrumental in opening the school that now serves the community in which he
lived, the present-day Bethesda Elementary--donating land, timber, and other
materials for the school. In addition, Arthur provided financial support to
build the gym at the school.
As an educator, community leader, businessman, and native son, Mr. James Arthur
Alford (1894-1949) made significant and lasting contributions to the community
that is served by J.A. Alford Elementary School which opened in August 2003.
In a short time, the school has grown, serving more than 900 students in the
2006-2007 school year.