Alfred Singleton, Jr.

Alfred Singleton Jr. entered eternal rest on Friday, March 27,2026, at the age of 46. He was born on January 21, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Alfred, Sr. and Gwendolyn Sentino Singleton. He was the brother of Shelita, Sean (Shonda), Cutina (Arthur), Christopher, Raneeka Carter (Justin), Erin and Samuel. He was the Son-in-Law of Elizabeth Hayes and the late Marvin Hayes, Sr., the brother-in-law of Marvin Jr., Colton, Gerald, Kenneth, and Ophelia Hayes. He was the beloved husband to the love of his life, Mildred Hayes Singleton. Their marriage spanned twenty-seven years. From that union were born three sons, Alfred III, Taviree, and Taquan Singleton. Alfred was a proud graduate of Alfred Lawless Sr. High School. He lived a vibrant and fulfilling life. He was a member of the Louisiana Prince Hall Affiliated, served as Past Master of Acacia Lodge No. 248, Grand Inspector General with Eureka No. 7, and was a Noble of Shriner Platta No. 15. He also served as a chair board member of the Culinary Program at Warren Easton High School in New Orleans. Grounded in the faith he was taught from childhood, Alfred remained committed to his walk with Christ. Before his transition to his present church, Household of Faith under Sr. Pastor Antoine M. Barriere, he was a member of Dominion and Power’s Executive Team under the leadership of Bishop Tyrone Washington, Sr. Alfred’s journey as a cook started out when he was a little boy helping in the kitchen of a local family mom and pop shop. Then at 17, he ventured back into the restaurant of Café Sbisa as a bus boy. In 2000, he ventured back into the kitchen of the same restaurant watching and learning under a master chef. He later had the opportunity to show his craft on the line, due to someone calling out from work until Hurricane Katrina shut it down in 2005.

As stated in NOLA.com, an article written by Ian McNulty, After Hurricane Katrina, Alfred went on to become an executive chef at Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. Then, in 2016, he was brought a business proposal to reopen Cafe Sbisa with his former boss, Napoli. Today, Napoli said “it was the prospect of working with Singleton again that convinced him to get back into the business.”

“He had that love of food, and he had the personality that brought out the best in people,” Napoli said. “He had great respect from everyone who worked with him, everyone who met him. He was more than a chef.” “His passion, creativity, and dedication shaped not only our menu, but our identity,” a message on the restaurant’s social media accounts reads, “He built more than a kitchen, he built a family.”

The partnership made Café Sbisa one of the few Black-owned restaurants in the tourist hub of the French Quarter, and one of only a handful of upscale restaurants in the city with a Black chef at the helm as co-owner. It was a distinction Singleton viewed as a mandate to lead by example, and he embraced his role as mentor to up-and-coming chefs.

“To be from the city, to be an African American chef in this position, to know what I came up through, I'm still baffled sometimes that I'm here,” he said in a 2021 interview. “But I'm in this position for a reason. It's the people I surrounded myself with, the people I developed relationships with.” Singleton’s role at Café Sbisa came after a lifetime in the business.

Through Café Sbisa, he created a space where people felt welcomed, valued, and connected. His work left a lasting mark on everyone who walked through its doors. Above all, Alfred held his family and friends close to his heart. He found his greatest joy in family gatherings and shared trips, where his spirited presence brought laughter, warmth, and togetherness. These treasured moments became lasting traditions that his loved ones will continue in his memory. Alfred will be fondly remembered for his strength, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. Through his leadership, his sense of humor, and simply by being there, he left a lasting impression that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Alfred is preceded in death by his brother Dwayne Sentino, paternal grandparents, Violet Carter and Lawrence Singleton Sr. and maternal grandparents Evelyn and John Sentino Jr. Left to cherish fond memories are his loving and devoted wife Mildred Hayes Singleton, his three sons, Alfred III, Taviree, and Taquan Singleton, two grandchildren, Jayda and Jaliyah: his father and mother, Alfred, Sr. and Gwendolyn Sentino Singleton, brothers Sean (Shonda), Christopher, and Samuel; sisters, Cutina (Arthur), Raneeka Carter (Justin), Erin and Shelita; goddaughters, K’liyah Young and Geraneisha Hayes; Godsister, Monique Filmore; Godbrothers, Ruben and Alexander Filmore; Aunt Viola Hall and Uncles Cedric, Ernest and Lester Singleton; Mother -in-law, Elizabeth Hayes, brothers -in-law, Marvin Jr., Colton, Gerald, and Kenneth Hayes; and sister-in-law, Ophelia Hayes, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Household of Faith Church, 2074 Paxton St., Harvey, LA on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10am. Visitation will be held at the church from 9am until 10am. Sr Pastor Antoine M. Barriere officiating. Interment, Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Gretna, LA. Family and friends can view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com.