ANDREWS - Alice Meadows Davis Slagle, born Dec. 5, 1919 in Athens, Georgia, passed away Nov. 27, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina, days before her 102nd birthday.
Alice is survived by her oldest son, John Robert “Bob” Slagle; sister Mary Margaret Davis; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many other loved ones.
Alice was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, John Robert Slagle Sr. who died in December 1982; children, Terry Slagle-West May and David Slagle; brothers, John Davis, Pryor Langford “PL” Davis Jr., and Robert Davis.
Alice was one of five children of Pryor Langford Davis and Katie Carruth Davis and graduated from Montreat College in June 1939 with a degree in English Literature. In December of that same year, she married John. After college, Alice worked for The Franklin Press as a writer for the local newspaper. She also served as a census taker in the 1950 census, working in the rural mountains of Macon County. Alice worked as personnel manager at Berkshire Mills in Andrews until she retired in 1984 at the age of 65.
Before moving to Andrews, Alice and her family lived in the Nantahala Powerhouse Village where her husband worked as chief operator for the powerhouse. Alice and John were members of the Andrews Presbyterian Church for many years. Alice grew up in Black Mountain Orphanage in Black Mountain. Though she was not an orphan, her mother served as dietician at the facility.
Alice was an excellent cook and loved hosting holiday and family gatherings, always featuring a sideboard full of homemade desserts. She was a talented artist, crafting beautiful quilts and intricate woodcarvings for loved ones. She loved to spend time outside, camping, waterskiing on the lake, or tending to her vegetable gardens and apple trees.
Alice was beloved as “Gramma” to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, their partners, and friends. She is survived by grandchildren Elaine Blackman (Trent), Mark West (Cathy), Sharon Haire (Scott), Allen West, Elizabeth Slagle Todaro (Corey), Lannette West, Alexis Slagle Gilroy (Bill), Wes Slagle (Jaclyn), Kattie Slagle Hoy (Neil); and daughter-in-law Dr. Patricia Slagle. In the final years of her life, Gramma was lovingly cared for by her eldest granddaughter Elaine and family.
The family will receive visitors at Ivie Funeral Home in Andrews on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. with a brief service to follow at 2 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held at the Slagle family plot in the Valleytown Cemetery in Andrews. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com