Obituary for Alice Davis McEntire (Davis)
Alice Wilma Davis McEntire, age 92, passed away on January 29, 2021 at her home in Brevard, North Carolina, with her husband of 69 years, Bill, at her side.
Alice was born in Spartanburg, SC, on January 16, 1929. She was the youngest of five children born to Marion Buford Davis and Sarah Moore Davis. Siblings Louise Jarrett, Nellie Davis, and Frank Davis preceded her in death. Her sister Mary Ellen Davis passed away on February 1 in Brevard.
A tragedy occurred early in the family's life when her father, a railway employee, was murdered by a fellow worker. At the onset of The Great Depression, her mother, now widowed, was faced with the difficult decision to place her oldest three children in Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC. She continued to raise Alice and Mary Ellen at her home in Hanes, outside Spartanburg. Even in those trying times, Alice recalled stories of taking refuge in a place she called "the grove" where she and Mary Ellen played. It was their "gloriette," a magical place amongst the trees, flowers, and soft grass where their imaginations could soar.
Alice was an excellent student at Spartanburg High School, where she was a member of the Beta Club and cheerleading squad. She loved home economics and business. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary at the J. Frank Blakely Company.
In 1949, Alice met the love of her life Bill McEntire, a student at Appalachian State College. They married in 1952 and established a home in Charlotte, NC, where they raised five children. The couple began a music studio business together. Alice and her family became active members of First Baptist Church.
The family moved to Brevard in 1975 when Bill accepted the band directing position at Brevard Middle School. Alice worked as a secretary in Brevard High School's Vocational Education office until retirement. She and Bill were active ballroom dancers and members of First Baptist Church of Brevard. For many years, they operated a Christmas tree farm on their property.
Alice was an active participant in the Senior Olympics where she and Bill competed in athletic events across the state and nation. In her last years, she developed her artistic talents by creating watercolor paintings, which she entered into community events. Alice also loved to create classic southern dishes in her kitchen, collecting antiques, hosting yard sales, and visiting her children and grandchildren across the South.
Alice had an outgoing personality and a wonderful sense of humor. While she relished being the center of attention, she had tremendous empathy for anyone going through difficult times. She placed her strong faith in God and love for her family as her highest goal, believing that her calling was to raise the best children she could.
Alice is survived by her husband William (Bill) McEntire and their five children: Shelley Richardson (Bruce) of Danville, KY; Christy Philemon (Sherron) of Mount Holly, NC; Brant McEntire (Olivia) of Brevard, NC; Mitch McEntire (Gail) of Asheville, NC; and Lani White (Jeff) of Franklin, TN. She was proud of her nine grandchildren, Benjamin (Megan) Richardson, Daniel (Amelia) Philemon, William Philemon, Justin McEntire, Jesse (Hannah) McEntire, Kurt McEntire, Tyler (Scottie) McEntire, Matthew McEntire, and Alexandra White Stevenson (Josh). Five great-grandchildren include Davis and Bennett Richardson, Isaac and Lucas Philemon, and Shep McEntire.
A memorial service will take place at First Baptist Church Brevard on Saturday, February 20 at 2pm with pastor Rev. Tommy Crocker officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 211North Main St., Flat Rock, NC 28792.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 211North Main St., Flat Rock, NC 28792.
Alice was born in Spartanburg, SC, on January 16, 1929. She was the youngest of five children born to Marion Buford Davis and Sarah Moore Davis. Siblings Louise Jarrett, Nellie Davis, and Frank Davis preceded her in death. Her sister Mary Ellen Davis passed away on February 1 in Brevard.
A tragedy occurred early in the family's life when her father, a railway employee, was murdered by a fellow worker. At the onset of The Great Depression, her mother, now widowed, was faced with the difficult decision to place her oldest three children in Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC. She continued to raise Alice and Mary Ellen at her home in Hanes, outside Spartanburg. Even in those trying times, Alice recalled stories of taking refuge in a place she called "the grove" where she and Mary Ellen played. It was their "gloriette," a magical place amongst the trees, flowers, and soft grass where their imaginations could soar.
Alice was an excellent student at Spartanburg High School, where she was a member of the Beta Club and cheerleading squad. She loved home economics and business. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary at the J. Frank Blakely Company.
In 1949, Alice met the love of her life Bill McEntire, a student at Appalachian State College. They married in 1952 and established a home in Charlotte, NC, where they raised five children. The couple began a music studio business together. Alice and her family became active members of First Baptist Church.
The family moved to Brevard in 1975 when Bill accepted the band directing position at Brevard Middle School. Alice worked as a secretary in Brevard High School's Vocational Education office until retirement. She and Bill were active ballroom dancers and members of First Baptist Church of Brevard. For many years, they operated a Christmas tree farm on their property.
Alice was an active participant in the Senior Olympics where she and Bill competed in athletic events across the state and nation. In her last years, she developed her artistic talents by creating watercolor paintings, which she entered into community events. Alice also loved to create classic southern dishes in her kitchen, collecting antiques, hosting yard sales, and visiting her children and grandchildren across the South.
Alice had an outgoing personality and a wonderful sense of humor. While she relished being the center of attention, she had tremendous empathy for anyone going through difficult times. She placed her strong faith in God and love for her family as her highest goal, believing that her calling was to raise the best children she could.
Alice is survived by her husband William (Bill) McEntire and their five children: Shelley Richardson (Bruce) of Danville, KY; Christy Philemon (Sherron) of Mount Holly, NC; Brant McEntire (Olivia) of Brevard, NC; Mitch McEntire (Gail) of Asheville, NC; and Lani White (Jeff) of Franklin, TN. She was proud of her nine grandchildren, Benjamin (Megan) Richardson, Daniel (Amelia) Philemon, William Philemon, Justin McEntire, Jesse (Hannah) McEntire, Kurt McEntire, Tyler (Scottie) McEntire, Matthew McEntire, and Alexandra White Stevenson (Josh). Five great-grandchildren include Davis and Bennett Richardson, Isaac and Lucas Philemon, and Shep McEntire.
A memorial service will take place at First Baptist Church Brevard on Saturday, February 20 at 2pm with pastor Rev. Tommy Crocker officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 211North Main St., Flat Rock, NC 28792.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 211North Main St., Flat Rock, NC 28792.