Dr. Alton C. Bynum, Sr.

HAMILTON - In loving memory of the esteemed Dr. Alton C. Bynum Sr., a beacon of wisdom, creativity, and kindness who graced this world with his unwavering passion for music and education.

Born on March 2nd, 1933 into an extremely poor family in the town of Oneonta, AL, his parents were sharecroppers. His parents wanted him to drop out of school to help on the farm, but Alton was determined to finish high school and ran away from home at 13 years of age. He graduated high school and continued his education at a Christian school in Georgia, where he could work his way through college in power plant. After college, he taught music at Ben Lippen School, in South Carolina, and a Jewish school in New York.

Having pursued scholarly heights, Alton earned his Doctorate in Music from the esteemed New Orleans Southern Baptist Seminary after completing his studies at Toccoa Falls College and the New England Conservatory of Music. It was through his dedication and expertise that he flourished as the revered Chairman of the Music Department at Gordon College, later becoming the revered head of the Arts Department.

During his 35years tenure at Gordon College, Alton was able to get NASM accreditation, which takes an average of 15 years, done in 3 years. Since then, thousands of students from all majors have participated in ensembles. At one point, there, there were over a hundred music majors, one of the largest majors at Gordon.

Alton's love for music and culinary arts was matched only by his adoration for cherished family moments. There were so many vacations together in Prince Edward Island, Canada and Muscle Shoals, Alabama. For many years, he led the choir at the historic Park Street Church in Boston, a testament to his enduring love for music and faith.

Having split his time between Muscle Shoals, AL and South Hamilton, MA, Alton's presence was a blessing felt far and wide. While his physical form may depart, his spirit, marked by incandescent talent and genuine warmth, will forever resonate in our hearts. His song will continue to echo through the annals of time.

The one of things that “Papa” did, was show us how to love the way Christ loved. “It took me up until I was 21 before I finally heard a clear presentation of the gospel. It was as if someone flipped a switch and the lights came on and I could see clearly. And that was the first time I had heard that I had nothing to do with my salvation, Christ had already done what I needed. That made a huge difference in the way I lived and looked at things from then on.”

Alton was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Judith Miller Bynum. He was a great family man. He had two children, Alton C. Bynum, Jr. and his wife, Jacqueline of South Hamilton, and Daun M. Bynum King and her husband, Walter of Somerville, AL, along with eight grandchildren; Stewart King, Sarah King Collins and her husband, Andrew, Michael King, Andrea Alexis and her husband, Igor, Michelle Partridge and her husband, Ben, Hannah Bynum, Alton Bynum III and his wife, Emmy, and Leslie Bynum, and seven great-grandchildren and counting; Abigail Alexis, Lydia Alexis, Polly Partridge, Sadie Partridge, Henry Partridge, Johnny Partridge, and Thomas Miller King, along with countless friends far and wide.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Alton’s funeral service which will be held at The First Congregational Church Hamilton, 624 Bay Rd, South Hamilton on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 at 10 A.M .followed burial in Hamilton Cemetery. Please meet directly at the church. Visiting hours will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Friday, April 12th from 4 to 7 PM. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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