Robert L Ashford

Robert “Bob” Ashford, the youngest of twelve siblings, was born April 28, 1939 to the late Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Jessie Ashford in Birmingham, Alabama. He was educated in the Birmingham City Schools System having attended Council Elementary School and Western-Olin High School. While at Western-Olin High School he was an accomplished athlete in football, track and baseball; earning the nick-name “Robert the Ripper.”

He graduated from Miles College with a degree in Mathematics while continuing his athletic achievements in football, culminating with him being selected to the Miles College Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating from Miles College, he began his teaching career at his beloved Jackson-Olin High School spanning the course of 28 years. During his tenure at Jackson-Olin he earned a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Montevallo.

As a community activist, Robert served as a foot solider in the Civil Rights movement. In 2013, he was awarded The Civil Rights Foot Soldier Award from the Birmingham Area NAACP for his willingness to serve his community.

He possessed an entrepreneurial spirit leading him to open Bob Ashford’s Place and Fat Burgers restaurant where he employed several youth from the Ensley/Pratt City area.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Ensley where he served as a deacon and former member of the Trustee Board and Finance Committee. He was instrumental in organizing the annual Mother’s Day Breakfast where he worked faithfully until his health failed.

Robert was one of the founding members of the Progressive Men of the Western Section, serving as President for many years. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Tau Chapter.

He was preceded in death by his precious daughter, Dr. Takayo Ashford-Maddox, and seven sisters and brothers: Elizabeth Ashford Foster, Willie Mae Bradley, Pearlie Ashford Burton, Booker T. Ashford, Wilson Ashford, Samuel Ashford and Simpson Ashford.

Robert will be remembered for his love of family, his wisdom, wit, determination, hard work, his love for Ensley, his church and especially Jackson-Olin High School. His life and legacy will be cherished by his loving wife of 58 years, Rusteen J. Ashford; sons Dr. Robin (Billette) Ashford, Fayetteville, Ga., Robert L. Ashford, II, Birmingham, AL; five granddaughters: Alexia Patterson, Birmingham, AL; Lauren, Mallori, and Taylor Ashford, Fayetteville, GA; Brandi (Damion) Square, Orange County CA., a favorite grandson Robert Logan “Robby” Ashford; Brother, Dr. Rowell (Rosemary) Ashford, Nashville, TN; Sisters, Marjorie Allen, Chicago, Ill., Hazel Nunally, Chattanooga, TN., Johnnie Belle Ross , Los Angeles, CA.; great-grand children, Micah and Carsyn Square, Orange County, CA. and a host of relatives, friends, and former students.