Alice Melva Owens Brassell of Montgomery, Alabama died on April 30, 2013 as gracefully as she lived while surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Walter Averette Owens (a well-known county commissioner in Henry County described as the “most honest man ever known”) and Omie Clenney Owens on February 13, 1925 in Henry County, Alabama where she attended Abbeville schools prior to moving to Montgomery, Alabama where she met and married her husband of 66 years, James Thomas (Tom) Brassell.
She was a kind and gentle spirit who quietly lived out her Christian faith always serving others in her many beloved roles of wife, mother, and especially grandmother and great-grandmother-“Her children arise up and call her blessed…..a woman that fears the Lord shall be praised.” After many years of leadership, mentoring young children, and involvement at Highland Avenue Baptist Church, she became a founding member of McGehee Road Baptist Church, where she served until her health would no longer permit. She is most remembered for her selfless acts of kindness and humility as her home and table were always open to the many that frequented them. She always put the needs of others ahead of her own and pleasured in serving them. Additionally, she served for many years in the Exchangette Club and participated in many charitable activities of the parent Exchange Club. She worked as a dental hygienist when she first moved to Montgomery before she married, and later opened and managed a retail clothing store for a number of years.
She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Walter Samuel Owens. She is survived by her husband, Tom Brassell, daughters, Maria Brassell Ashmore (John) of Montgomery, Nancy Brassell Barnes (Ernie) of Huntsville, Beth Brassell Joiner (Andy) of Birmingham; and son, James Thomas Brassell, Jr. (Denise) of Pike Road, Alabama, and beloved brother William Clenney Owens (Margaret) of Dothan, Alabama. She is also survived by her dearly loved grandchildren John Britton Ashmore of Birmingham, Alabama, Thomas Peyton Ashmore (Cammie) of Montgomery, Alabama, Preston Tyler Ashmore (Tiffany) of Wetumpka, Alabama, Ernest Mobley Barnes, IV of Atlanta, Georgia, Geoffrey Walter Barnes of Destin, Florida, James Thomas Brassell, III of Montgomery, Alabama, Patrick Ryan Brassell of Pike Road, Alabama, Kelley Elizabeth Joiner of Madrid, Spain, Thomas Andrew Joiner of Birmingham, Alabama, John Owen Joiner of Birmingham, Alabama and her precious great-grandchildren Brayden, Braxton and Brynlee Ashmore, and Colton and Collier Ashmore. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday, May 6th from 4-7pm at Leak-Memory Chapel. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 7th at 2:00 pm at Leak-Memory Chapel with The Reverend Chad McDonald officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Sincere gratitude is expressed to all her special caregivers including Sharon Christian, Ruby Wigfall, Kessha Smith, Juania Pearson and others for their loving care and support and to Angie Beilstein and Amedisys Hospice for providing comfort and ministry to Alice and the family.
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