Father of the Ole Miss Bride

Ole Miss beauty Kay Swayze and Ole Miss star Warner Alford on
their wedding day, with the father of the bride, Ole Miss legend Tom Swayze. It came from Warner and Kaye Alford’s wedding album. Scanner by their daughter Phyllis Alford Daniels

Phyllis Alford Daniels, Kay and Warner’s daughter, has posted some great Ole Miss photos lately. I can only imagine the Ole Miss history she, Swayze and John have in the family. So Phyllis if you look out the window one day and see a strange man on the front step, with his scanner under his arm…its me.

When I saw this photo it kind of jumped out at me. Not because its a Cofield shot. It could be, I don’t know. But what the photo did was remind me of a story I heard Jack tell a few times.

Dad had taken the wedding photos for Swayze and John’s weddings and he recalled that on those ‘big days’, Warner was happy and laughing and smiling and had a great time. I believe, in fact I’m sure, Dad and Warner had a few drinks at both receptions. So Dad was kind of looking forward to this next Alford wedding. He and Mom got there early and set up the camera and before long Warner and Kay came in. Dad spoke but Warner just kind of nodded and walked off. Dad finished checking things and noticed Warner standing off a little to himself. He looked worried. So Dad finally walked up and told him he looked worried. Asked what was wrong. Told him to have fun like before! Dad said Warner looked up and said…

“Jack, when your sons get married you’re proud and happy. They are striking out to start their own families and that’s what you raised them to do. But…when your little girl leaves and you give her away…its like handing a piece of fine china to a gorilla!”

— John Cofield