Alice Rose Cradle

Mrs. Alice Rose Harper Cradle, 79, suddenly transitioned to her eternal home and heavenly reward on Tuesday, September 20th, 2022 at 5:29 a.m. at MCV Hospital in Richmond, VA after a short period of illness. Born in Nottoway County, Virginia on January 16th, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Lucille H. Gash and Lewis E. Harper, Sr.
Alice's formal education began in Nottoway and culminated at Luther H. Foster High School. At an early age, she was baptized at Mt. Gazerine Church in Blackstone and later began to serve as an usher under the tutelage of Reverends Royal J. Nickens, John C. Wimbush, and Dr. Irene B. Allen. She was a member of the Springhill Usher's Union. Alice always enjoyed serving, attending church, and cherished the great fellowship tremendously.
In 1963, Alice was joined in matrimony to Curtis Cradle, Jr. of Kenbridge VA and on June 9th, 1964, their union was blessed with a son Curtis Cradle III (Tony). The family moved to nearby Kenbridge where she resided and developed her legacy as the family matriarchal heir until Curtis' passing in 1989. Alice then returned to Blackstone and continued to share her gifts of kindness and patience beyond exception with family and within the community.
Alice worked in production at Levi-Strauss as a seamstress until the mid -1970s; then completed her employment at Perdue on the production line in Lawrenceville, VA in 2000. Her greatest employment was serving as a nanny and mom to Blackstone Mayor Billy and Joyce Coleburn's family, embracing the second highest of God's calling {Love Thy Neighbor}, using her great faith and gifts of love and charm to mentor the Coleburn's daughters Caroline and Mary Cathy. The daughters considered Alice to be their second mother.
Alice leaves her Son Tony (Deborah), Granddaughters Shemeka and Shekita; Great grandchildren Zy'airree, and Zamarri of Blackstone: Siblings Willie Mae of Richmond, James (Aretha) of Hampton, Samuel (Joyce) of Glen Allen, Barbara (Lenue Jr.) of Haymarket; Blackstone siblings Michael, Patricia (Wayne), and Jimmy: Sisters in Law include Elizabeth of Meherrin, VA, Maxine of Lilburn, GA, Jeanette of Yorktown, VA: Aunts Bishop Elizabeth Bagley of White Plains, VA and Ruth of Richmond, VA: Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to spread her favorite greetings of "Hey Baby" and "I'm Holding On".
Alice was preceded in death by her husband Curtis Jr, Infant Son Rodney, Father Lewis Harper Sr., Mother Lucille Stewart H. Gash, Mom Sarah T. Harper, Brothers Lewis Harper Jr. (Junnie Boy) and Sam (Bobby) Thomas, Sisters Floria (Flo) Matthews and Bernadette (Bernie) Gash, Nephew Aaron Cooper.
Viewing Monday, September 26, 2022 from 12 to 7PM. Funeral Services Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 11:00AM at Mt. Gazerine Baptist Church, Blackstone. Interment Church Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.