Alice Faye McLaughlin

Alice Faye Estell McLaughlin was born April 7, 1947, to Milburn Jona and Fronia Bell Maxwell-Estell in Bastrop Texas. Weighing only 2 pounds at birth, she was considered a “miracle baby.” She was reared in Round Rock, Texas, by her mother, Fronia Estell-Clark and step-father, Wallace A. Clark. She departed this earthly life on November 26, 2016.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1960 at the age of 13, and was baptized at the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, Texas, by the late Reverend, A. W. Johnson. At a young age, Alice was active in singing in the Sweet Home Youth and Junior choirs.

Alice attended elementary, junior high, and high school, all in Round Rock, Texas. In 1962, she received the honor of Homecoming Queen. In 1966 she graduated with honors as Salutatorian of her class.

On September 5, 1965, she united in marriage to Brian Edwards. To this union, two daughters were born; Felisa Yvette Edwards and Marche’ Evette Edwards. On February 3, 1972, she was united in marriage to Bonnie McLaughlin, Jr. To this union, son, Damon Rashaun McLaughlin was born, and step-son, LeCount McLaughlin.

On September 18, 1968, she was employed with the Internal Revenue Service where she held many positions. She launched her IRS career beginning as a keypunch operator, and she went on to serve in many supervisory and managerial positions. She achieved numerous awards for consistent and “outstanding” work performance. Alice served as a mentor to students at Mendez Middle School as well as the employees she managed at the IRS. She held memberships in Association for the Improvement of Minorities (AIMS), Professional Managers Association (PMA), and the IRS Gospel Choir. She held frequent positions on IRS Boards, and served as Manager for the Taxpayer Advocate Service. She also served on the National Taxpayer Advocate Service Team. Alice retired with 35 years and 9 months of service. She was a dedicated, loyal, hard-worker; and a “people person.” She was well respected by her peers, subordinates, and esteemed by whoever she met. She ended her tenure with IRS retiring on October 31, 2003.

On April 26, 1981, at age 34, she announced herself for membership with the Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church through Christian Experience under pastoral leadership of Reverend Earl Harris where she continued her faith walk with the Lord. In December 1984, during an annual church business meeting, she was elected to serve as Church Clerk of the Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. In December 1986, under the Pastoral direction of Pastor A. W. Anthony Mays, she was appointed as the Mount Sinai Church Clerk where she diligently served for over thirty years. One of her memorable accolades as a member was being designated as “Woman of the Year” to lead the Mount Sinai Women Ministry (1989). Alice also served as Chairperson of the Mount Sinai In-Reach Committee. She was dedicated to singing her alto voice in the Church Choir. She attended Monday evening, Bible Study, Church School. Alice previously sang in the Women of Worship Choir. She was an integral council member on the Mount Sinai Music Ministry’s Council Board for 8 years. She also served as a member in the Music Ministry Mass Choir (M3), and served as a board member for the Gospel Recording Artist, Chester D.T. Baldwin and the Music Ministry Mass Choir. Alice actively served in Martha Circle of Senior Mission. She previously served in Mission II, as Youth Counselor, Women’s Ministry, and she attended many of the Senior Ministry Activities and meetings.

Among those that preceded Alice in death are: daughter, Marche’ Edwards; mother, Fronia Estell-Clark; father, Milburn Jona Estell; step-father, Wallace A. Clark; sisters, Janet Johnson and Joyce Estell-Espy; brother, Milburn Lee Estell; brother-in-law; Horace L. Johnson; and niece, Andrea Estell.

She leaves to cherish her memory: loving husband, Bonnie McLaughlin Jr.; daughter, Felisa Yvette Edwards of Fort Worth, Texas; sons, Damon Rashaun McLaughlin, Austin, Texas, and LeCount McLaughlin (Heather) of Anna, Texas; granddaughters, Jaden and Morgan McLaughlin; sister-in-law, Kay Harris; brother-in-law, Mathel McLaughlin (Sally); nieces Gayla Wynn (Vann), Carmen Jolley (Kenneth), Arnetris Barnes (Alex), Fronisha Espy, Janice Johnson, Patrice, Andrea, and Janelle McLaughlin; nephews, Michael Estell (Sara), Bryson Estell and Victor Ray Johnson; great nieces; nephews; special and life-long, loving friend, Ruby J. Harris; faithful sisters-in-Christ, Dorothy Ambrose, Janice Rogers, Wanda Fowler, Rosa Hunt, Dorothye Harrison, and Ollis Bussey.