"Flowers are Love's truest language."
----Park Benjamin
In picking the flowers, the trick is to get the stems in capable hands - not mine - once they are gathered. This task has never been difficult in Washington Parish, which historically has boasted a bevy of skilled floral designers. The attendees at the plethora of flower shows - of the Mt. Hermon Garden Club, the Franklinton Garden Club, and the Home and Garden Club, among others - can attest to the local talent.
But in 1997, I received a reminder without leaving my home. Hosting a fifteen-year reunion for the Bowling Green class of 1982, I welcomed classmate Robert Jerry Johnson (1964 - 2003), son of Jerry Johnson and long-time Clerk of Court Gladys Johnson, who arrived at my humble abode with an exquisite, unexpected floral arrangement for the table. I was elated to see both my dear friend and the magnificent centerpiece - artfully arranged roses mixed with a myriad of flowers and greenery. Robert Jerry then revealed that Latane Alford of Mt. Hermon had designed it. And then, I knew what I had - a masterpiece and a friend.
Speaking of friendship, present-day my most recent flowers arrived on my December birthday from close friend Gayle Foret - who always gifts spectacular Christmas flowers. A generous gesture, flowers are an incomparable expression of kindness. And before that, beautiful roses came courtesy of the son of good friends Dr. Bill and Judy Ferrante. Hailing from California, David Ferrante unexpectedly, and unnecessarily but graciously, reciprocated after he polished off a cheesecake I concocted for his parents.
Back to Mary Latane Breland Alford (1922-2008), regretfully, to my knowledge I never made her acquaintance, but I knew exactly who she was - a floral designer extraordinaire. One could not possibly have grown up in Washington Parish and fail to know her name or her work. The "Flower Lady of Washington Parish," she was a regular speaker at the local garden clubs where, to many a packed house, she gave expert advice on flower growing and arranging, for which she had natural talent.
Born in May of 1922, Latane was the sister of brothers Cecil, Norman, Bill, James, and Cedrick Breland and of sisters Bettie (Alford), Janelle (Schilling), Elouise (Houston), Ann (Traigle), and Lynda (Barnett) Breland.
Latane became the devoted wife of Paul Donough Alford, Sr., and was the mother of Rosamond McCoy (husband Kenneth), Janet Smith Wooley (husband Wayne), and Col. Paul Donough Alford, Jr. (wife Brenda). She was the grandmother of Michelle McCoy Monger (husband Meade); Paula Alford Estrade (husband Ron); and Brigit Alford Sevin (husband Michael). And she was also a great-grandmother.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that my father Col. Cecil Ellzey sang the praises of Col. Paul Alford, Jr., who served not only as Louisiana State Aviation Officer but also as the Chief of Staff of the Louisiana Army National Guard, a role he assumed in 1991. I took note.
Back to Col. Alford's mother, beloved Latane Alford, she worked as a bus driver and substitute teacher in the Mt. Hermon School system, but she made her name in flowers throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. So, it didn't surprise me to learn that she also worked at Winn Dixie in Franklinton in the floral department - for that is where she thrived, among the flowers. Whether growing or arranging them, Ms. Latane was in her element. She was a pro at using what she had, something my mother and grandmother always advocated. And in Ms. Latane's case, that was plenty in the garden - her province. She grew a wide variety of flowers, including but not limited to amaryllis, dogwood, flowering crabapple, daffodils, and tulips. And of course, there was always plenty of greenery in her garden, too. Guest speaker at The Franklinton Garden Club at the home of Elsie Burguieres in late March of 1985, she advised members to "never sacrifice anything for design." And with great ease, she adroitly put together on-the-spot four separate floral arrangements, explaining the art principals, which made the meeting delightful for all.
Ms. Latane's accolades were innumerable. Active in the Franklinton Home and Garden Club and the Washington Parish Garden Club Council, she was an ardent member of these organizations and served in many others, including but not limited to the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, District VI Garden Club Council, District VI Judges Council, and the National Council of Garden Club Federation, Inc. for the Deep South Region.
And a resident of Mt. Hermon, Latane was active in her own community where she was a dedicated member of the Bogue Chitto Baptist Church, providing the floral arrangements for the church and serving in other capacities through the years. She was also a proud charter member of the Mt. Hermon Garden Club.
A lady after my own heart, Latane was also a camellia lady, not only as a grower but also as a member of the American Camellia Society. And of great significance, a camellia registered with the society is named for her, the "Mary Latane." Since this discovery, I've been hot on my heels in search of one or even better two. Digressing, I'm a stickler for pairs. In the arena of antiques, pairs have more value. And in the garden, a pair gives me a spare, in the event the other perishes.
Back to Ms. Latane, her prominence wasn't restricted to camellias. In the January 2007 Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. newsletter, she was named in the Circle of Roses, another significant honor.
But what struck me most about Ms. Latane was her generosity and kindness, demonstrated by her love of sharing her garden and talent with friends, family, and folks, like me. Her flowers and floral designs were the vehicle through which she touched the hearts of many. And I was lucky to be among them.
•Stay tuned for the next installment, the conclusion of this series on flowers.
