Alice Jean Allen, daughter of the late Norman Gray Allen, Sr. and Mamie Miller Allen was born December 29, 1934 in Bethania, North Carolina. She departed this life on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Novant Medical Center.

Alice Jean was a graduate of Carver High School. After graduating from Carver, she attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. While at Livingstone she played basketball for the Blue Bears and proudly played with the team that was undefeated in 1953 and 1954. She began her teaching career in Mullins, South Carolina where she also served as the girls basketball coach. She led the Lady Bulldogs to the S.C.S.S.A.A. Championship in 1959. Alice was extremely proud of being named "Coach of the Year" for the Lady Bulldogs and continued to display her "Coach of the Year" plaque in her home.

After working in South Carolina several years, she returned to North Carolina and taught at Edenton High School in Edenton, NC. She returned home in 1974 and worked at South Park High School. While at South Park she served as a teacher and guidance counselor. During the 1992-1993 school year she was named the school's Teacher of the Year. Alice continued her educational journey by taking courses at Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA during several summers.

Alice was a devoted family person and returned home to care for her father after her mother passed away suddenly. Her care and devotion for family did not end there because she later became caretaker for her aunt Esther Douthit, and her brothers, Norman Jr. and William Edward.

Alice was a lifelong member of Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church where she held a number of positions. She served as president of the Do-Better-Club, Leader of Leaders, class leader, member of the Executive Board and chair of the Trustee Board. She also served as a member of the Christian Education Committee, Church Women United, The Project Committee and was a life member of the Missionaries. In 2005 she received special recognition from the church for revitalizing "The Class Leader's Ministry."

After retirement, Alice remained active in the National Education Association and the North Carolina Association of Educators and regularly attended annual conferences. She was also active in her community. She served as a judge for the Forsyth County Board of Elections for a number of years and also worked the box office for the Black Theater Arts Festival bi-annually, until her health would no longer allow her to serve.

Alice's love for basketball remained with her and she looked forward to and regularly attended CIAA tournaments to support the Livingstone Blue Bears. She also loved to bowl and had several trophies that she bragged about and displayed on her bookcase.

In addition to her parents, Alice was preceded in death by her brothers, Clemmet Orlando, Norman Jr., and William Edward.

She is survived by: a devoted sister, Delores Hailstalk (Douglas) of the home, a brother, Clifton, Sr. (Selma) of Scotland Neck, North Carolina, a nephew, Clifton, Jr. (Kim) of Bryans Road, MD, a niece, Tamara of Charlotte, North Carolina, three great-nephews, three great nieces, one great-great nephew, a devoted cousin, Deborah Jackson of Rural Hall, North Carolina, and a host of relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Friday, October 21, 2022. Funeral service 12 PM, Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Bethania AME Zion Church, 2120 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The family will greet friends thirty minutes prior to service. Interment in the church cemetery.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here