Beth Alley Wise

Sandra Beth Alley Wise (68) passed away peacefully on August 15, 2023. Beth was born in Bloomington, Indiana on August 25, 1954, to George and Norma Alley. The family relocated to Orlando, Florida in 1964.

Beth graduated from Boone High School (Class of 1972), and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida Technological University (UCF). To pay for college, she worked at Disney throughout her college career and was a finalist for Disney Ambassador in 1975. Beth's childhood dream was to become a kindergarten teacher. She surpassed that dream by working as a teacher, becoming a headmaster, and ultimately was the author of many children's educational books. The majority of Beth's career was with Robert-Leslie Publishing as an Editor-in-Chief. There she served as the author of more than 50 books and programs for young children. She produced nearly 150 highly acclaimed educational products and served as the co-author of the award-winning InvestiGator Club Inquiry-based Learning Systems. Her hobbies included sewing, racquetball, pickleball, playing the piano, playing games, fishing, camping, and cycling.

Beth's family and friends were the most important things in her life, and she showed her love for them every single day. In 1984, Beth met the love of her life, Joe Wise, at Racquetball South. After meeting Beth, Joe called his sister Janie and told her he had met the girl he would marry. They were married in 1985, and in 1988 their son, Joseph Crockett, was born.

Beth was one of the most selfless and giving individuals anyone could know, truly an angel on earth. In addition to impacting her friends and family with her love and generosity, Beth provided many hours fundraising and volunteering to support many charities. After the tragic death of their son Crockett, she helped to establish the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention chapter in Orlando. From its humble beginning of 350 people, it has now grown 15 years later to over 4,000 participants and has raised more than $150,000 annually. She has counseled many families experiencing the impact of suicide and provided crisis intervention training for local first responders. Beth coordinated a Kiwanis Bike Giveaway for many years, providing hundreds of bikes each year to children. She also volunteered as a judge in the Water Robotics program nationwide, continuing the legacy of Crockett. She volunteered at many schools including Pershing Elementary.

Beth is survived by her husband Joe, daughter Kathryn (Chris Adams), sister-in-law Janie Wise, siblings Brad Alley (Sandy Rice), Mike Alley (Bambie), Todd Alley (Cheryl), Lynn Alley, and Meg Goodrich (Jeff), nieces and nephews Kristen Floyd (Kevin), Chase Alley, Parker Alley, Taylor Alley (Emily), Brantley Goodrich (Allie), Jordan Dixon (Kaelin), and great-nieces and nephews Allie, Carsyn, and Colton Floyd, Brady and Isla Goodrich, Callan and Cohen Alley, and Clarke Dixon. She was preceded in death by her son Crockett, parents George and Norma Alley, and mother-in-law Kathryn Wise.

The family will celebrate Beth's life with a celebration of life on Sunday, August 20, 3 PM at First Methodist Church, 142 E. Jackson Street, Orlando, Florida. To honor the joy Beth brought every day, the family requests that you wear bright colors. A reception at the church will follow the ceremony. If you would like to contribute to a cause special to the Wise family and their underwater robotics competitions, please reach out to Jill Zande (jzande@marinetech.org) at MATE (Marine Advanced Training Education).