Alice Orlicek Mitchell, 104, of Cabot, Arkansas died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Born March 27, 1912 in Hazen, Arkansas, she was the daughter of the late Justin and Helen Svestka Orlicek, who immigrated from Czechoslovakia in 1905 and resided in Hazen, then Little Rock. She is also predeceased by her first husband, Roy E. Farrar, her second husband, Hollis “Mitch” Mitchell, and her granddaughter, Julie Marie Ahring.
She is survived by her children, Dorothy Ahring of Roland, Arkansas, Virginia Farrar of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Carolyn Downs and her husband, William (Bill), of Plano, Texas, Gerri Young of Longview, Texas, and Rita Turner and her husband, J.D., of Hot Springs Village. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, Deborah Ahring, Stephen (Steve) Ahring, Cynthia (Cindy) Downs Allen, Michael (Mike) Downs, Mark Young, Matthew Young, Christian Ann (Chrissy) Young, Melissa Branson, Michelle Brockway, James Brockway, and step-grandson, Brett J. Turner. In addition, she is survived by eighteen great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Alice lived in the Little Rock area, where all of her children were born, for many years before moving to South Texas. She was a homemaker for most of her married life, later keeping books for the Singer Sewing Center in McAllen, Texas and in the registrar’s office at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. She worked with the military veterans at Pan American and loved helping them register for classes. She retired from there in 1977. She was a wonderful cook, enjoyed playing cards, working crossword puzzles, gardening, reading and visiting with friends and neighbors. She was always amazingly agile and energetic, even well into her later years. She moved back to Hazen in 1984 and power- walked 1.5 to 2 miles every day that the weather was nice. Her neighbors always kept an eye out for “Miss Alice” and marveled at her energy level. She lived alone and drove until she was 98, visited often by her children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She spent the last four years of her life at Southridge Village in Cabot, where she was surrounded by devoted caregivers. The family will always appreciate all they did to make her last years more comfortable. We also want to thank Joyce Nelson, a special caregiver and friend in Longview, Texas, where Mother lived with her daughter, Gerri, for more than a year before moving to Southridge. Joyce was a great help to Gerri in taking care of Mother during that time.
Alice was an outgoing, independent woman who loved her family and friends and she will be greatly missed. She was a devout Christian who loved going to church and worshipping God. She was a member at the Pharr United Methodist Church in Pharr, Texas for almost fifty years and at the First United Methodist Church of Hazen for fourteen years. No doubt, it was a joyful reunion when Alice went to be with the Lord.
There will be a graveside burial service at the Czech National Cemetery in Hazen on Friday, November 18,2016 at 11:00 a.m. and a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church in Hazen on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family are invited to attend either or both services.