Mrs. Alice Davis-Rice

The Journey Of Alice Delores Davis-Rice: he late Alberta Louise Norris. Her formative years were spent in Detroit and she was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system where she attended Balch Elementary, Spain Middle School and Northeastern High School. Alice was very popular in her neighborhood, specifically in the Theodore-Hastings-St. Antione area where most of her childhood growth took place and where most of her childhood memories were formed. As a young teenager, she loved to do all the latest dances and would frequent the Graystone Ballroom, on Woodward and Canfield, every Sunday and danced from opening to closing. Alice was also an avid skater and honed her skating skills at the Arcardia Roller Rink, in the Woodward and Mack area. She was fortunate to have lived in a neighborhood that had an abundance of cultural and recreational activities. She kept herself busy during her youth by involving herself in every one of them, from swimming to visiting the museums. In 1972, Alice began her career at Wayne County Community College at its original location on Woodward and Garfield, the Garfield Building. She worked in different divisions and other locations of the college, but started at the college as a switchboard operator where she directed hundreds of calls daily. She became a microfiche stenographer, with responsibilities of archiving college records and other documents. During the latter parts of her employment at Wayne County Community College, she elevated to administrative roles, which included Inventory Specialist and the Campus Technician. As the campus technician, she provided accommodations for meetings and other types of gatherings for community groups and public and private organizations. Alice retired from Wayne County Community College in 2005 after 33 1/2 years of dedicated service. Alice was an active member in the United Auto Workers (UAW) Union, Local 1796, and spent over 20 years in service. She was on the election committee, union steward for ten years and financial secretary for the local union. As a member of the bargaining team, Alice strategically negotiated employee agreement contracts. Her passion for a fair workplace and support of union members propelled her to lead Local 1796 in the roles of Vice President and Acting President. She traveled to numerous UAW Delegate and Leadership Conferences during her tenure. Alice also served as an elected Precinct Delegate in her community for over ten years. She was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her civic, political and advocacy relations spanned many years. After receiving her Associate Degree in 1992 from Wayne County Community College, she went on to Sienna Heights University to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in 2002. Alice had a very pleasurable life, which included volunteerism, travel, and leisure time. For many years, Alice gave her time towards volunteering services, and volunteered for the national telethon of the United Negro College Fund, the City of Detroit’s African World Festival, the Eskies Reunion Committee of Northern High School, the Detroit Department of Human Services, and many others. She found time to travel, albeit, pleasure or business, and would travel at the drop of a hat. Some of her trips included Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Caribbean countries and cruises, etc. Her favorite binge trip was travelling to Shaker Heights Ohio, to see her daughter, son-in-law and her two precious grandsons. This is where she could relax as she enjoyed good times with her immediate family. Alice will truly be remembered for her deeds and the influence she carried and left upon people. Her faith in God was strong, and she believed that God is the ultimate “Handler” of life’s episodes. She aspired to live in a way that was deemed morally right, and placed herself, her cares and her woes in the hands of the Lord. Alice was a member of Greater Grace Temple for over 30 years.

Mrs. Alice Davis-Rice

January 14, 1950 - June 1, 2014