Alice Tennant

1944 - 2025

If you have ever seen the movie Steel Magnolias, then you know Alice Tennant. The world lost this incredible woman on October 31, 2025. She was surrounded by her family and received by her Savior Jesus Christ. She gave her life to the Lord at the age of twelve and served him until He told her to rest.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Tryon with Dr. Jeff Harris officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Meeting Space at the church.

Alice Virginia Evans Tennant was predeceased by her son Ryan Tennant. She was born during World War II on July 17, 1944, and reared in the farming community of Providence in the low country of South Carolina. Her parents were Francis and Myrtle Evans. She graduated from Holly Hill High School and Winthrop College.

She has left to carry on her legacy of love and work for others a son Kyle McKenzie Tennant (Aimee) of Lexington, NC and a daughter-in-law Shannon Perry Tennant of Wilmington, NC, her sister Frankie Evans Locklair of Landrum, SC, Her greatest love went to her three grandchildren Dr. Kayla Marie Tennant of Chapel Hill, NC, Michael McKenzie Tennant of Lexington, NC, and Perry Evans Tennant of Wilmington, NC. She had a special niece, Karen Locklair. Karen felt as if she was her other mother. Her other niece is Tisha Moore from Fort Worth, Texas. Her lifelong friend Sadie McKaig predeceased her. In the last weeks of her life, she made her last friend Sherry Swett. Sherry gave her love, courage, and care along with other care keepers.

Her first teaching job in Tryon, North Carolina changed her life forever. At Tryon High School she taught Home Economics; but strangely enough the assistant football coach seemed to find home economics extremely interesting. Within a year of dating, Alice married Georffrey McKenzie Tennant. They spent fifty years together. He died two days after their fiftieth anniversary. She was literally the wind beneath his wings. While he helped Polk County schools and fire departments, she took care of everything else.

Alice joined the Tryon First Baptist Church after some discussion with the minister. She refused to be immersed since she believed her baptism as an infant in the United Methodist Church was sufficient. She became an associate member. This did not keep her from serving in almost all capacities except a deacon. She was judged right in 2024 when her church passed a resolution to recognize any baptism to be accepted and full membership to be granted. Alice Tennant was elected a Deacon that same year. She was a member of the Church Choir and the Church Bell Choir. Church dinners will never be the same without her coconut cake. She never passed up an opportunity to serve the church she loved and the Lord who saved us.

She was an innovator. Alice and Sadie McKaig began what was then called Tuesday School to allow young mothers to have one free morning. She and Sadie also had an idea that has grown each year – Super Saturday. It is a marvelous extravaganza of professional children's plays, fun activities, and memorable childhood experiences.

Alice was also President of the Turner-Tennant Foundation. The Foundation provides scholarships to students who graduate from Polk County High School. It is the only way some of these students would ever be able to go to college.

Alice believed that love could overcome hate. She was Mama T to so many of her boy's friends because they knew they were always welcome at her home. She loved animals. Her deer herd came to say goodbye the night she died. She had almost all her life dogs that enjoyed long walks with her in the woods and pastures.

Alice was passionate about justice for all and following Jesus' words to love all His children. Her last wish was that if you remember anything about her remember that she cared even when it was unwanted and loved even when it wasn't returned. Remember her heart that had room enough to love anyone.

Those who wish to give a memorial may give to the following organizations:

First Baptist Church of Tryon, 125 Pacolet St., Tryon, NC 28782, Autism Society of NC, 5121 Kingdom Way, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27607 The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, Al 36104.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.