Alice D Perkins

Alice D. Ford was born in small town Jersey, Arkansas on December 12, 1926, to the proud parents of the late Mattie Beatrice and the late Ed Son Ford. Alice transitioned from this life to life eternal while holding the hands of her daughter and granddaughter on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 7:10 PM.

Alice was the fourth child of eight children. Preceding her in death include Mary Frances Bradley, Avistine Girtman, Maxine Jones, Frances Lee Clinton and Robert Edward Ford. She leaves one sister (Wilmoth Rea Sanders) and one brother (William Otis Ford) to cherish her memory.

On November 16, 1942 Alice married the late Bellzonia Hines. To this union five children were born, of which three preceded her in death: Belgia Lee, Elder James Edward and Daisy Louise. She leaves to mourn two children, Mattie Jean (Joe E. Thompson*) and Bobby Earl (Shirley Mae), from this union.

Alice moved to Portland, Oregon in September 1950. She united with the Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in 1953 under the direction of the late Reverend O. B. Williams. Alice soon departed Vancouver Avenue and joined the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of the late Reverend Sylvester S. McCullum.

On July 10, 1964 Alice married a second time to the late Queenard Perkins. To this union five more children were born, of which one preceded her in death: Eddy Richard (Tanya J Perkins). She leaves to mourn four children from this union: Linda Juanita (Dannue L. Mayo); Stella Eileen (Robert Braxton); Glen Laprell (LaKeesha J. Perkins); and Queenetta Lynn (Leon M. LeFlore).

Alice has remained a faithful member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for more than 50 years while diligently working with four pastors. Alice enjoyed singing in a variety of choirs over the years. She served until her death as the General Team Leader of the Missionary Department, Secretary of Music Department, Assistant Teacher for the Electra Circle, and Church Mother under the direction of her Pastor and son Reverend Albert Wayne Johnson. Alice was the life Chairperson for the Pastors Anniversary Committee.

Alice served as a Union District Association officer and First Vice President of Missions. She worked tirelessly with the General Baptist Convention of the Northwest. Her recent work included serving as Past Bible Teacher of Missions, Devotional Leader, she danced with the Silver Praise Dance ministry and worked extensively with the Drama Ministry. Alice served until her death as a National Field Worker for the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.

She served as Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Queen Esther Chapter #2091 of Portland, Oregon.

Alice loved to travel with the conventions and following her children to various places around the country. While visiting her children in California she united with the Southern Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of Reverend Joe L. Gates, under the Watch Care Program. While attending Southern she encouraged many members to get involved in church ministry, fondly calling them her Willing Workers Ministry. Alice also loved visiting Triangle, Virginia where she attended the Mount Zion Baptist Church under the direction of the Reverend Dr. Alfred Jones Jr. She loved the Senior Sunday School Class and adopted a phrase from one of the deacons, “It’s a good day to be above ground and know it!”

Alice had a lot of hobbies over the years. She loved giving and receiving hugs and kisses from just about everyone she met. Alice loved collecting pictures. If you ever gave her one, you could probably find it on one of the many ledges in her house. Alice was most proud of her clan which she fondly called Alice’s Clan. But her most favorite hobby of them all was… Yep you guessed it, FISHING! She would fish in town and out of town. It didn’t matter where she fished just as long as she fished! Alice was happiest when she could sit on the bank and “play in the water” as she called it. If you couldn’t find Alice at home or church it was a good bet she was on the fish creek.

Alice leaves to mourn five generations which includes 33 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and many more family members and friends. Alice may be gone from this life but she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her and loved her.