Alvin Oliver Leggett's Obituary
Alvin Oliver Leggett was born June 25, 1940, the youngest child, to Samuel Donzel Leggett and Alice Edden Leggett, in Key West, Florida. Alvin graduated from Douglas High School in Key West. He loved football and quickly gained the nickname 'Wrecker,' as the offensive team did not want to encounter his strong defensive tackle position. Soon after high school, Alvin went to the Air Force recruiter and enlisted. After 22 years of military service, Alvin, a decorated veteran, retired at the rank of Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force received during his tenure at the American Consulate in Hong Kong during 1972-75. Alvin enjoyed worldwide assignments with the Air Force in four continents – Africa, Australia, Asia and at home he had several stateside assignments, including the Pentagon, Washington, DC. While assigned there, he met and married Joyce Bradley, who tells the story of how Alvin chose the Hong Kong assignment to counter her assignment office and would accompany Alvin to Hong Kong as his wife. He was right!. Alvin had a way with people and was a great giver of advice and had a deep love and respect for his family. If Alvin said he would do anything for anyone, he could be counted on to keep his word In August 1976, Alvin was blessed with a baby girl, named Allyson Rene. Five years later, August 1981, along came their second daughter, Jillian Elizabeth. Alvin's love thrived on Allyson and Jillian. He often said Allyson was precocious and Jillian was studied. Both adored their Daddy. Even though he faced some difficult times in their early years, he made sure they were well taken care of. As a young military serviceman, Alvin's eldest daughter, Tracey Michele Purifoy, was born. Later Alvin's heart desire was to reestablish contact with her and did his best to love her and bring her into his family circle. MSGT (USAF) Tracey Purifoy, MSM lives in Montgomery, Alabama and followed her dad's footsteps in the military. Allyson Rene Leggett Watson, PhD, in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Associate Professor at Northeastern University in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is married to Minister Darrick Watson and gave Papi three lovely grandchildren, Andrew Joshua (5 years); Aaryn Joy (2 years); and Adam Jonathan (8 months old). Jillian Elizabeth Leggett, a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, lives in Tulsa, with her sister's family and works at State Farm Insurance Company as a Property/ Casualty underwriter. Alvin moved to Tulsa from Daytona Beach, Florida on August 25, 2008 to be near his 'girls.' Alvin's 70th birthday was spent in Dallas, Texas at an authentic Cuban restaurant, as he loved Cuban food from his Hispanic heritage. In July, 2010, his girls took their father and the entire family to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Alvin partook in all activities, dinners, sightseeing, and shopping, like he was a 21 year old. Alvin said this was the best vacation ever, and he wanted Ally to plan the next one. He told his daughters that he prayed and asked the Lord not to take him on his seventieth birthday or on a fifth Sunday, his church-going day. He said the Lord granted him his requests. One week ago Alvin was admitted to St. John's Hospital because he had discomfort in his chest. His doctor, after running several tests, said 'Mr. Leggett, you are a remarkable man. I would expect someone in your condition to be low in spirit and hardly surviving, but you are positive and upbeat.' Alvin was diagnosed with congestive heart failure with 10% usage of his vital life force. You can clearly see the Lord's grace and His steady hand upon Alvin. He transitioned to his eternal life after having private moments with each of his girls he loved so desperately, 'Tracey', 'Ally' and 'Jilly', on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. Alvin is preceded in death by his father, Samuel Donzel Leggett, Sr., his mother, Alice Grace Leggett, and his sister Olga Leggett Thompson (Herbert, Sr.). He is survived by three brothers, Samuel Donzel 'Donnie' Leggett, (Janice) and their children, Alvin Mitchell, Donna Kidd, Alicia Rolle and their families; Brother Gilbert 'Gillie' E. Leggett, his wife, Yogi, and their children Celeste Morris, and Keith Leggett and their families; by Olga's children (Herbert Thompson, Jr., Lynn Thompson, Kim Thompson Salaam, and Wendy Thompson and their families) and Brother Frank Rudolph 'Rudy' Leggett, his wife, Joan, and their children, Frank Rudolph, Jr., Adrienne Lynn Clark, Judy Leggett, Donzel Allen Leggett and their families, respectively; and a host of other relatives and friends. Alvin was kind, giving, philosophical, loved all, pragmatic, and in the twilight of his life acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord. This seventh son had the ability to touch lives and make a lasting impression. May he be remembered for his legacy of love for his three daughters, and his son-in-law, Darrick Watson. The Charles and Salena Watson family, and Darrick's brothers and sister loved Alvin and enjoyed many family gatherings together.
What’s your fondest memory of Alvin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alvin?
Share a story where Alvin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alvin you’ll never forget.
How did Alvin make you smile?