Obituary published on Legacy.com by O.H. Pye, III Funeral Home - Detroit on Nov. 18, 2024.
In Loving Memory Of
Alice Fay Lewis was born on September 23, 1949 in
Detroit, Michigan to the union of Manasee and Louise McCormick who both preceded her in death (Manasee 2001, Louise 1964, Step-mother Gustie McCormick 2022) and brother Manuel Frederick Sally 2002.
Alice accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. As a young lady she joined Oak Grove A.M.E Church under the leadership of Reverend David E. Mitcham. It was then Alice began a lifelong tenure serving the Lord on many auxiliaries, multiple choirs, kitchen and women's ministry and co-chair to many Annual Women's Day services. The spirit of servitude remained ceaseless under the leadership of Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram and Dr. Robert Brum eld. Her faithfulness to Oak Grove never wavered, she continued by tuning in every Sunday morning for worship at 9 A.M. up until the most recent Sunday preceding.
Alice briefly worked for the United States Postal Service before attending Wayne State University where she earned a Bachelor's of Art degree. In 1971 Alice met Theopohilius Lewis and in 1972 they married and to their union two daughters were born; Arricka VerShawn and Anissa Evonne. Even while becoming a new wife and mother Alice continued her education with a concentration on accounting, she had a niche for order and numbers! Her academic accomplishments led to a position with the Internal Revenue Service. During her 34 year career she held many positions, she retired as an Appeals Audit Officer in January 2006.
Living life and navigating through its vicissitudes seemed to never shake Alice; always a devoted Mother, Granny, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, and Niece to her eight Aunt's and Uncle's. She was the voice of reason, the calm and keeper of finances, chosen and named conservator over many of her immediate family estates. When Alice retired at the tender age of 57 she made a commitment to live life to the fullest. Although she always served her family and within the church the new assignment God called her to, was to volunteer time and offer support at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit. In between Granny duties an assignment she never took lightly, Alice set time to travel, stamp my passport please! Some of her excursions include Alaska, Italy, Hawaii, Jamacia, Aruba and many cruises, too many to name. She enjoyed spending the quality time and adventure with a few of her favorites Linda Pryce, Clara Blackman and the Women's ministry of Greater Grace Church, a group she traveled annually with.
Vigorous, an understatement to Alice's passion for life. She enjoyed playing softball on the women's New Detroit softball team in the early 80's, she was umpire for a youth softball league, and she loved to bowl on many bowling leagues and tournaments. Her teammates recently remembered her as a strong bowler with average in the upper 200's. She loved to play backgammon and cards, pinochle, tunk and spades but her favorite was bid whist and she was good! Alice was a member of Sophisticated Ladies card groups, she regularly played and hosted. She also enjoyed playing with family & friends until the wee hours of the morning and had the patience to teach anyone that asked to learn.
When duty called Alice accepted with no hesitation. In 2014, she moved to Houston TX to assist her eldest daughter Arricka VerShawn and her family with navigating in a new city with her two young sons. When she arrived she took on her duties exceptionally and still found a way to create and cultivate relationships in a city she knew no one. She attended Brook Hollow The Church Without Walls, where she participated in the senior bible study group SALT (Senior Adults Living Triumphantly). She joined the Copperfield Cuties bowling league and she volunteered at HCA North Cypress Houston Hospital. The relationships built during her time in Houston remained strong through distance and years.
In February 2022, Alice and her two daughters decided it would be best for her to move back to Detroit to be surrounded by immediate family members and friends and nurtured by those she had poured so much love into over the years. After living a full life, steps ordered by God, heaven's curtains parted and God whispered, "Come and rest – my child" to Alice on Friday November 8, 2024. She was surrounded with love during her transition.
Alice Fay leaves to cherish her memories sister Lena Sally, daughter Arricka Griffin (Anthony) grandsons, Anthony Caleb Griffin, Ayden Griffin, Daughter Anissa Lewis (Eddie), granddaughters Mychael Furman, Jordin Jerks & Zenith Fay great- granddaughter to be, bonus son Greg Lewis (Vanessa) grandsons Joshua Lewis (preceded in death) GregBryce Lewis, granddaughter Kassidi Lewis, great-grandsons, Christian and Brayden Lewis, and a host of nieces, nephews god-children, cousins, other relatives and friends.