Mary Alice Horton, 81, passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at her daughter’s home in Saint Petersburg, Florida. She was born in Samson, Alabama, on Feb. 17, 1934, the first of two children born to Alice (Witty) and Rex Roach.
Her mother passed away when she was a toddler. Her grandmother, Alice Rowe Witty, and her aunt, Alleen Witty Williamson, raised “Mattie” and her sister, Frances, among their extended family on the family farm in Elkmont.
She attended the University of Alabama and weeks after graduating in the summer of 1956, she married her college sweetheart, Air Force Lt. James R. Bowling. Tragically, he perished in the line of duty in October 1956. Three years later she married John Kirkpatrick, with whom she raised four children. Their marriage ended in divorce. In 1987, Mary Alice married James “Ed” Horton, Jr., and shared many happy years with him on their farm in Greenbrier prior to his death in 2008.
Mary Alice lived most of her life in and around Athens, working as a medical technologist and caring for her family. She was a loyal and loving woman, with a keen sense of humor and a zest for life. She loved farming, football and a good hand of bridge. All who knew her will remember her beautiful smile and charming spirit.
Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents; and by her sister, Frances Bray.
She is survived by her brother Rex Roach Jr. and wife Jennifer of Opelika; her niece, Alleen Bray of East Limestone; her four children, Will Kirkpatrick and wife DeNay of Birmingham, Susan Tuite and husband Gerald of St. Petersburg, Florida, John Kirkpatrick Jr. and wife Lori of Birmingham, and Jason Kirkpatrick and wife Sharon of Elkmont; as well as by eight beloved grandchildren.
Her friends and family will celebrate Mary Alice’s life at a memorial service at 3 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 1124 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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