Alma L. Johnson

Alma L. Johnson, 81, was called home to receive her crown on January 28, 2010. She was born on July 8, 1928 in Hickory, North Carolina to the late Walter J. and Gertrude L. Shuford. She is predeceased by her brothers, Roderick Waddell and Cyrus W. Shuford; sisters, Constance D. Kissler, Martha J. Shuford and Dorothy M. Owens. Alma was a graduate of Ridgeview High School in Hickory, North Carolina. Following graduation she traveled north to Binghamton, where her family had relocated and she embarked on a singing career. She was a jazz singer who toured with legendary American performers such as Billy Ford and the Thunderbirds, Louis Jordan and Dizzy Gillespie. She was initially known as Diane Dove, but later adopted the stage name of Alma Fortez. She performed on the East Coast, Canada, Bermuda, Europe and Greenland. Once her career detoured to Binghamton to care for her father and nephew, she began working at (and eventually retired from) IBM. Although she gave up touring, she didn’t give up singing. She joined the IBM Band and sang locally in Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton. She is survived by her brothers, Walter J. Shuford, Jr., Binghamton, Robert T. Shuford, Albany, NY; sister, Billie D. Anderson, Binghamton; nephew, Henry (Maxine) Shuford, Albany, NY and special friend, Samuel “Scotty” Johnson, Binghamton. She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Memorial services will be held 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 13, 2010 at Trinity AME Zion Church, 203 Oak Street, Binghamton. Memorial contributions in Alma’s name can be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. To forward expressions of sympathy, create or view online video tributes, please visit www.demunn.com. Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.