Alice Lorraine Pryor

Alice Lorraine Dotson Pryor was born June 27, 1925, in Otto, PA to Lawrence Dotson and Margaret Emily Richardson Dotson. The youngest of two children, she was raised primarily in McKeesport, PA with her brother Thomas “Teddy” Dotson.

At age 4, Alice and her brother were sent to Staunton, VA to live with their maternal grandparents, Rev. Charles and Willie Richardson, due to their father developing tuberculosis. They stayed in VA until her father’s death when she was 6 years old. They returned to McKeesport to live with their mom and attended Centennial School.

At age 17, Alice’s mother died. She spent the remainder of her high school years in Washington, PA living with her maternal Aunt Beatrice. After graduation she lived with various aunts in McKeesport and Pittsburgh. During that time, she worked various jobs as a secretary, a factory worker making engine parts, and cleaning up a clothing store while her brother joined the military.

In 1947 Alice met Arlington Harris Pryor, Jr. from McKeesport, PA upon his return from serving in WWII. They were married in 1949 and lived in McKeesport for the first years of their marriage where their first child, Jeffrey was born in 1952. In search of additional employment opportunities, Arlington and Alice moved to Saint Paul, MN where their second child, Lori was born in 1955. They finally settled in San Jose, CA where they completed their family with Terry in 1959 and David in 1966. Her husband, Rev. Arlington H. Pryor, Jr preceded her in death on November 13, 2010.

After facing racial discrimination as a printing/reproduction technician for the County of Santa Clara, Alice quit her job and went back to school to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree and California teaching certificate from San Jose State University. She went on to obtain her MA degree from San Francisco State University in 1978. For over 18 years, she taught 2nd and 3rd grades in the San Jose Unified School District, retiring in 1992. She enjoyed every moment of her teaching career and through it met one of her best lifelong friends Amy Kaneshiro who continued to call weekly and encourage Alice until Alice’s passing.

Alice loved to travel. After her retirement, she traveled to Cuba, Canada, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States for as long as she was physically able. In the early 1980’s, she met another dear friend, traveling companion and Faith Presbyterian Church member Almerita (Rita) Rout. They served in several ministries together and would attend church conferences. They often visited Rita’s home in Jamaica and while there and on occasion traveled to Cuba to visit elementary schools and deliver school supplies.

Alice had a strong abiding faith in God that gave her the grace and strength to not just overcome, but thrive, despite the obstacles that life threw her way. Along with her husband, Rev. Arlington Pryor, Jr. she shared and instilled that faith in God into their children and grandchildren.

The arc of Alice Pryor’s life covered an incredible span of time and experiences. She was a strong, independent, yet gentle and sweet spirit who always had a kind word to say. She achieved her goals and loved her family and friends fiercely. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and loyal friend.

At age 97, Alice went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 20, 2023. She fought the good fight of faith and laid hold of eternal life.

She leaves her legacy to be remembered by her children, Jeffrey (Kathleen) Pryor, Lori (Timothy) Threatt, Terry (Lillian) Pryor, and David (Verna) Pryor; her grandchildren, Julian (Ipsheeta) Threatt, Jerren Pryor, Leslie Threatt, Alexis Pryor, Jaida Pryor, Maya Pryor and Mikah Pryor; her 2 Sisters-in-law, Celestine Lewis and Nadirah Saundra Abul-Rabb Thompson, special friend Amy Kaneshiro, and a host of extended family members and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.piercebrothersvalleyoaks.com for the Pryor family.