Alice Mae Hargis

Alice Mae Shelton Hargis was born June 3, 1918, and passed peacefully into eternal life on November 15, 2015, at the age of 97. Born in New Boston, Texas, Alice was the last survivor of the children born to Albert Jasper Shelton and Mary Ida Fowler Shelton. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, Allen Jackson Hargis, and a son, Roy Cecil Hargis. She is survived by her children Juanita Wagener and husband Walter of Grand Prairie; Joan Bexley and husband Bill of Carrollton; Jackson Hargis of Denton; Elisabeth Desmarais of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Mary Bottomly and husband James of Houston; daughter-in-law Katty Gutierrez Hargis of Roanoke, TX; eighteen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. A faithful member of Tyler Street United Methodist Church and the Yeats Couples Class for more than sixty-five years, Alice was proud of her life memberships in the Women’s Society of Christian Service of the United Methodist Church and in the Parent-Teacher Association of Texas. In addition to caring for her own family, Alice also touched the lives of numerous other children and their families throughout Oak Cliff with childcare in her home and by keeping the nursery at Tyler Street UMC for more than twenty years. In addition, she kept the nurseries for special occasions at other churches in the Oak Cliff area. She was a good neighbor, whether sharing a pan of her fresh-baked yeast rolls, hot out of the oven, or taking a meal to one who was ill. She loved the irises that rimmed her backyard every spring and took pride in having a variety of sizes and colors. A resident of Grace Presbyterian Village for the past eight years, Alice had many interests, including playing bingo and working with the crafts group. An avid reader, she knew the characters of Jan Karon’s Mitford series as if they were her own neighbors. She kept her mind active by reading the newspaper and completing her daily word puzzle before breakfast, and her room at Grace was decorated with jigsaw puzzles that she had completed, with a little help from her friends. She was known for her beautiful embroidery, completing countless sets of dishtowels and pillowcases that she shared with friends and relatives. Alice was a gentle spirit, greeting others with a smile and offering words of encouragement to new residents at Grace. Her family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Grace Presbyterian Village for their love and care for all of her years as a resident, and especially during the final weeks of her life. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6000 South R. L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary at Tyler Street United Methodist Church, 927 West Tenth in Dallas, officiated by Rev. Ed Lantz and Rev. Ray Truesdell, and followed by a reception. Memorial gifts may be made to Tyler Street United Methodist Church, the Grace Presbyterian Village Caring Fund, or the charity of your choice.