The family and friends of Steve Safford, a Greensboro native who passed away suddenly in June, say that he is truly missed by those who loved him. Safford suddenly passed away on June 17. His son, Jarvis Alls says he is thankful for the time he spent with his father. “My dad was an amazing dad. I had the privilege of being his only son,” Alls said. “[He was] always going far beyond to be in my life and to build that bond and relationship with me.” Alls describes his dad with lyrics from the R&B group Envogue: “Whatta man. Whatta man. Whatta mighty good man.” Now, more than ever, Alls says he is holding close to himself the words of wisdom imparted to him by his father: Always stay prepared, always do your best. Always work hard. Always take care of your family. Alls says he will cherish these nuggets for the rest of his life. Jarvis Alls’ wife, Montreal Alls says she knew Safford as a hardworking businessman who valued activity. “Every time you saw Steve, he was either coming from work, going to work, or doing something with work,” Montreal said. “He always mentored our children and told them no matter what, [to] always work.” Steve Safford, a native of Greensboro, passed away in late June. Safford worked with several businesses such as SuperValu and Mactavish Furniture during his earlier adult years. In his later years, he started his pressure washing business Safford Pressure Washer LLC. His oldest sister, Shirley Walker remembers a conversation she shared with her brother talking about his love for pressure washing. “I said, ‘Right now don’t worry about trying to work. Do what you love. You’re getting close to 60, so do what you love.’” the sister said. In response, she said Safford took her advice to heart, and opened his pressure washing business. “He pressure washed for years,” Walker adds. Walker is three-years-older than her brother, Safford and shares her most precious memories was coming home from school each day, and teaching her young brother everything she learned throughout the day. She says she taught him how to read and write his name during those after-school sessions. “Everything I learned, it was a joy to come home and share it with him,” Walker said. Walker remembers her brother making coffee and taking it to school when they were growing up. Steve Safford’s friends and family continue to mourn the loss of a man who contributed much to the Gadsden County community through his business, social, and volunteer endeavors. His great-niece Zion Dixon also shared a similar memory with Safford. “When we got to his job, he would put us in a room and we were allowed to have hot chocolate,” Dixon said. Betty Pearson began to know Safford once her brother, Amos Pearson was diagnosed with cancer. Safford and Pearson were Greensboro High School classmates who were on the track and football teams together; both men graduated from Greensboro with the Class of 1983. When her brother was diagnosed with cancer, Betty Pearson said that Safford was a constant presence. “He was there at least four days out of the week,” Pearson said. “My mom treated him like he was her son.” Pearson shared that once, her mom baked a cake and Safford was told to take half of the cake. “My mom treated him like he was her son,” Pearson reaffirms. Childhood friend and classmate, Irvin Clark says the death of Safford was a sudden blow for him. “It’s almost like a brother has passed on,” Clark said. Safford also spent a little over 10 years as a volunteer coach for the City of Quincy Recreation Department, and his family says that working as a coach brought him immense joy. They recall that he would frequently call his family to give them updates on his team and athletes. According to Safford’s niece, Tamika Battles-Thurman the football field was her uncle’s sanctuary. “He had the heart for youth. He had the heart for the community,” said Battles-Thurman. “He just had the heart for people.” Safford’s family says he is gone but will never be forgotten and they want his legacy and personality to live on. Breanna Rittman - Gadsden County News Service
