Alvin "T'al" Lafayette Felts, III, D.M.D
Nov 25, 1968 - Feb 25, 2023
Dr. Alvin "T'al" Lafayette Felts, III, age 54, passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023. He was born November 25, 1968, to the late Dr. Alvin Lafayette Felts, Jr, and Lynda Diane Wells Felts. He was the eldest of five boys. He was a loving husband and father of two boys.
He was known lovingly to his family and friends as T'al (affectionately named Tiny Al by his "Uncle" Robert Rome).
T'al was a lifelong resident of Moss Point, MS. He was married to the former Sherry Lynn Braswell Felts of Laurel, MS until her untimely death in 2014. They had two sons, Alvin Lafayette Felts, IV, "Tee", age 24, and Zachary Matthew Felts, "Zak", age 20.
T'al graduated with honors from Moss Point High School in 1986. He was a member of the Tiger Band, tennis, and soccer teams. After graduation, he attended Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry where he earned his degree as Doctor of Dental Medicine. After completing his time at dental school in 1999, he joined his father in private general dental practice in Pascagoula, MS. T'al was in practice for over 22 years until which time he was forced to take a medical retirement.
T'al was a Charter Member of the Inner Harbor Sailing Club and a lifetime member of the United Rail Riders Association. He was a member of the Jackson Yacht Club while he attended dental school. He was a member of both the Phi Kappa Tau and honorary Phi Theta Kappa college fraternities.
While his boys were at Resurrection Catholic school, T'al enjoyed being involved with their many sporting events. He volunteered his services for numerous years at the fish fries during the Lenten season. He served as a leader in their Cub Scout adventures. He also helped with the Soap Box Derby and Pinewood Derby races with the Boy Scout Troops 220 and 230.
T'al served the citizens of Mississippi for over a decade as a Deputy Dental Examiner for the Council of Independent Testing Agencies, The Commission of Dental Competency Assessments, and the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners and was a member of The American and Mississippi Dental Associations.
His hobbies through the years included camping, off-road riding, powerboating with family and close friends, yard work, sailing, cooking, and attending music events. He was also an avid roller coaster enthusiast.
In 1999, T'al became a member of YMBC. He enjoyed his years of fellowship with all of the members of the club alongside his father and 'Papa' Joe Brown. He was happy to serve as a driver for the members of the court during each year's Coronation Ball. The Club recognized him with the highest of all honors when they chose him as the King of Joy the 83rd. He was crowned just a week before his passing. It was a great celebration and he was so happy to spend the evening surrounded by his family, wonderful friends, and others in the community.
He is survived by his companion, love, and caregiver, Stacy Bodden Inlow; sons, Alvin L. Felts, IV (Tee), Zachary M. Felts (Zak); brothers, Robert Lindsey (Kala Hightower) Felts, Andrew Paul (Melissa Turner) Felts, Michael Stephen Felts, and Joseph Adam Felts along with his companion, Jennifer Cauley; loving lifelong family friend Icy Lee Wilkerson; his 'special girl', niece, Aden Lindsey Felts; youngest nephew, Samuel Thomas Felts; niece, Kailey Jo Turner; nephews, River Jonathan Felts, Tristen Andrew Paul Felts, and Gavin Scott Turner; great nephew, Weston Lee Turner; mother-in-law, Beth Vinzant Braswell; brother-in-law, Dr. Bobby Glenn (Andrea Riels) Braswell, Jr; nieces, Madelyn Grace Braswell and Mia Gabrielle Braswell; uncle, Stephen K. Felts, MD and aunt, Susan S. Felts; special cousins, Deborah Cobb Felts, Harvey Raphael "Raffe" (Angela Schwab) Felts, John Patrick Felts, Susannah Joy Felts (Todd H.) Dills, Thalia Simone Dills, Andrew Stephen (Annie Blobaum) Felts, Stephen Jackson Felts, Jason Thomas (Samantha Mason) Smith; and a host of friends and other family that loved him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Lynn Braswell Felts; parents, Dr. Alvin L. Felts, Jr. and Lynda Diane Wells Felts; grandparents, Alvin L. Felts, Sr. and Irma King Felts, Robert Merle Wells and Mary Jane Lindsey Wells; special cousin "Uncle" Harvey Calvin Felts, III; great uncle, Ellis Cleveland Lindsey, Jr.; father-in-law, Bobby Glenn Braswell, Sr.
Services will be held Saturday, March 11 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Moss Point, MS.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
A Mass of Celebration of Life will begin at 11 a.m. with Fr. Mike Austin officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Moorer, Terry Williams, Steve Edwards, Herb Cornelius, Wes Stanley, Matt Boykin, Dustey Walley, Chad Freeman, James Barlow, Doug Rowell, Lance Robinson, Ken Flint, Jeffrey Borho, Neil Gillie, Raffe Felts, Vann Bodden, Jason Smith, Glenn Braswell,
JJ Skramstad, Zane Holland, Matthew Inlow, William Inlow, and Lee Hunter.
The family would like to thank Singing River Hospice of Light, Dr. Randy Roth, Dr. Kenneth E. Ellingwood, Dr. Sherri Arledge, Bubba Cunningham, Members of YMBC, Matt Perkins, Amy Linton, and many special friends that have shown support during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the Mississippi Dental Association or YMBC of Moss Point.
MDPAC
c/o Mississippi Dental Association
439 B Katherine Drive
Flowood, MS
YMBC of Moss Point
P.O.Box 8366
Moss Point, MS 39562
Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS is in charge of the arrangements.