Alforence Baldwin was born on April 1, 1927 to Alfred and Clara Baldwin in Camden, Alabama, the second oldest of five children. Alforence's siblings included: brothers, Frank Baldwin (deceased), Fred Baldwin and sisters Ethel Baldwin (deceased), Bessie (Eudell) Drane and Minnie Baldwin. He attended Camden Academy where he received a solid Presbyterian education. He was remembered by some as a kid who excelled in math and was exempt from many of the exams and received several blue ribbons in track and field. Or others may remember him as the sixteen year old kid who became the school bus driver of an old army truck purchased by his father to transport black school aged children back and forth to school. Upon graduating in 1947, he was accepted to Tuskegee Institute. Due to intervening family obligations, he was unable to attend and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. After arriving in Cincinnati, he joined the work force of Newport Steel. While employed at Newport Steel he served 21 months in the Korean War. This exposure to a foreign language helped him to acquire Korean verbal skills. Due to the skills he attained, he earned the respect of some Koreans. Some twenty years later he could still draw upon these skills. During a visit from the Japanese delegates to Newport Steel, he was able to converse in Korean with them and able to describe his duties and the plant's operations. He achieved the highest level available to union personnel and also served as President of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees for the Greater Cincinnati. He retired from Newport Steel after 42 years of service. In those last 15 years, he did not miss one day of scheduled work. Alforence started his own family in 1955 when he married his lovely wife Dorothy (Shine) Baldwin. From this blessed union they have four children Constance Baldwin, Keary (Maxanne) Baldwin, Bridgette (Kevin) Cook and Felise Baldwin Walker and now have several grandchildren-Keary Baldwin II, Julius Baldwin, Jalen Cook, Myles Baldwin, Jala Cook, Kennedy Walker, Phoebe Walker, Jessica Williams, DaVet Shelton, Sr. and two great-grandchildren Zari'Anna Marsha, DaVet Shelton, Jr. God-daughter Jennifer McGuire, surviving honorary aunt Violet Bradley and loving host of brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, and other relatives, church family and friends. In his early years, he confessed his life to Christ at Pine Level AME Church in Camden, AL and he has been a member of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Cincinnati since 1954. He was a member of the Tribe of Joseph of the church and with his baritone melodies he was a member of the New Hope Vocal Chorus of Ohio and the Michigan Vocal Singers. His warm and good spirited heart for life was apparent in his work and his activities. He loved being around and always helping his family and friends. Many days from sunrise to sunset Alforence would spend time working on the family farm. This activity gave him a love of gardening. Hunting and fishing are other activities which he enjoyed. He was known to many as… Big Al, String Bean, Long John, Mr. B, Uncle Al, GrandPa, G'Dad and Dad. His love, joy, affection, companionship, kindness and thoughtfulness will be missed by all. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3655 Harvey Avenue, Cincinnati (45232) with visitation from 9:00 am until 10:00 am. Final arrangements entrusted to Walker Funeral Home, 1025 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Call 513.251.6200 for additional information. Share special messages with the Baldwin family at www.HerbWalker.com "A GREAT SOUL SERVES EVERYONE ALL THE TIME. A GREAT SOUL NEVER DIES. IT BRINGS US TOGETHER AGAIN & AGAIN." –Maya Angelou

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