Obituary: Alice Riddle, 1922 — 2016

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Alice Dora (Morgan) Riddle passed away January 4, 2016. She was born August 19, 1922 to Will and Abbie (Russell) Morgan in Bosque, Texas near Iredell. She departed this life at the young age of 93 leaving son Bill Tarpley of Waco and daughter Joy Moneyhon of Italy. She is survived by her loving “little” brother Corky Morgan and his wife Margaret of Italy. She is preceded in death by brothers G.P., Thomas and Roy, and by sisters Geneva Patterson, Wilma “Bill” McClelland and Paula Harris.

Alice graduated from Iredell High in 1939 and enrolled in UT Austin. Her decision was influenced by interviews with Dean Arno Nowotny and Lyndon B Johnson. They referred her jobs as “Mother’s helper,” baby sitter and assistant to librarian of UT Archives. She was hired to accompany vacationing families, first to a summer resort in Connecticut and later on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Alice became “just a housewife” for 29 years. During the war as wife of a naval officer, she was in Boston for the birth of son Bill. Two years later her daughter Joy was born. After the war, she resided in McKinney and Lubbock where she attended Texas Tech. When the family returned to Austin, Alice completed her degree and graduated from Southwest Texas in 1969.

With an empty nest, Alice moved to Italy, Texas and the comfort of the Morgan family. She taught children with special needs at Waxahachie High and Italy Elementary. She also took extension classes at TWU for her specialty credential. She commuted to Baylor for classes and was just one class short of a BU master’s degree.

She met and married Raymond O. Riddle at First Baptist of Italy. She was thrilled to have grandchildren instantly!

After 13 years of marriage to Raymond, Alice became a widow. Persuaded by Joy, she lived in California for 3 years working with special school children and retarded adults in on-the-job training. She mostly volunteered in hospital gift shops.

Alice returned to Austin. She LOVED guiding visitors through the O. Henry Museum as docent. She was an active member of Rosedale Baptist Church. She was renowned at the white-haired lady zipping around Austin in her Miata convertible.

As she advanced in years despite her best efforts at healthy habits she became mobility-challenged. She agreed to reside with Joy. They moved to Italy for her to spend more time with Paula, Corky and Margaret.

Memorial service for this recent “Italy Gladiator Fan of the Year” will be Saturday, January 9 at 2 p.m. at Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin in Italy, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Alice via American Heart Assn.

To view an obituary or sign the guest book, please visit www.bozemitchellmckibbin.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home 511 West Main St., Waxahachie, Texas. 972-937-2211.