Alice Marie Hytche

ALICE MARIE HYTCHE Muskogee, OK / Merrillville, IN Alice Marie Hytche entered into mortal life on September 22, 1942, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the second of five children born to Dolvin and Ida M. Mack. She transitioned into eternal life on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. She was educated in the Muskogee public schools and graduated from Manual Training High School. She earned the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Langston University and the Master's degree from Northeastern State University. After teaching in Oklahoma for two years, she relocated to Gary, Indiana, in 1966 where she taught in the Gary Community School Corporation for 37 years before retiring in 2002. Her employment in Gary as a music educator and reading specialist included positions at Brunswick and Beveridge elementary schools and 30 years at Edison Middle School. Upon arriving in Gary, Alice renewed her acquaintance with school-mate Willie Roy Hytche, Jr., and they married in 1967. Their marriage of 40 years produced 2 daughters, Sonya and Sharon. Alice began studying music at the age of 5 and was an accomplished pianist, performing and accompanying vocal soloists, ensembles, church choirs and various events since the age of 10. At Langston Univ., she was accompanist for the University Concert Choir. She has numerous professional music affiliations and provided a positive influence on the lives of the many young students whom she touched over the years, both at school and within her church affiliation. She was a faithful and dedicated member of St. Timothy Community Church for 41 years where she served as church pianist, accompanist and Assistant Director of the Senior Choir, Director of the Youth Choir and worked with the Men's Choir and "Joy" Ensemble. She served on the Scholarship Committee, was active with her September Birthday Group and freely offered her musical talents for many church activities and events. She also served as accompanist for the Gary Civic Chorale. Alice was an avid reader of mystery and suspense romance novels and, within the community, played in bridge tournaments and bowled with the Gary Teacher's League for several years, until her love for and skill with computer technology, powerpoint presentations, computer games and photography consumed her. She was never without a camera in her possession and anyone she ever met, she was sure to snap a picture of. Her CD collection of pictures ranges into the thousands. She regulary communicated with numerous family and friends via e-mail and loved to send personally created e-cards electronically. She was a 46-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., initiated into Alpha Zeta chapter in 1961. The joy of Alice's life was her family, especially her grandsons whom she loved, spoiled and photographed unconditionally. Her three CD recordings, "Music From the Heart," "Inspirational Music" and "Christmas CD," which she has shared with many, many friends will live on in the hearts of all who listen and fondly remember. Preceding her in death were her parents, nephew Mark Wilson, and niece Stephanie Mack. Cherished memories of the heart will remain with her husband, Willie Roy Hytche, Jr.; daughters, Sonya Michelle Hytche and Sharon Melita (Dave) Cunning-ham; grandsons Adrian, Dorian, Alec and Jory; sisters, Dolena M. Mack and Ida E. "Beth" Wilson; brothers, Rev. Dolvin (Val) Mack and William Mack; special niece, Kellauna (Corey) Jackson and their children, Kenneth and Kendall, and niece, Dolvetta (Robert) Manning; loving nephew, Clarence "Gene" Wilson, and nephews, Alton Mack and Dolvin Mack III; many sisters- and brothers-in-law and family members of the Hytche Family; great-nephews; her loving extended church family and countless friends. Visitation Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 12 noon to 8 p.m. with Family Session from 6-8 p.m. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. Homegoing Services will be Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 West 25th Ave., Gary, IN. Rev. Dr. Alfred Johnson, Pastor, officiating. Professional Services Entrusted To The Caring And Loving Staff of Alpha Mortuary, 421 West 5th Ave., Gary. Burial will be Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 11 a.m. in Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Mus-kogee, OK, under the care of Keith Biglow Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hytche Family Scholarship Fund. For further information contact Roy Hytche at (219) 769-5094 or E-mail Hytche@comcast.net.