At 84, Alyce Marie Elliott of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025 of natural causes.

Alyce was born on April 8, 1941 to Fred Doward and Alberta Doward of Inkster, Michigan. She was the second to the last child in a very large family. Alyce did not fit in well as a child due to her intellect and immense curiosity. She often rubbed adults the wrong way because she asked too many questions. But these annoyances for others contributed to her being the first in her family to attend a major university. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree of Education. She later graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Masters degree of Education.

Alyce was known for her heart to help people in need, including those that are vulnerable, abused, and neglected, often making great sacrifices to help others in time and resources. She had a particular love and affinity for children and her family.

She worked tirelessly as a primary school teacher in the Inkster Public Schools, Ann Arbor Public Schools, and several other places for over 30 years. She was known for her creativity, singing, teaching, and organizational skills. You never had to worry about something not being done right when she was given a task. She also co-owned and managed the family moving business for over 15 years.

She was also known for her open-hearted hospitality, welcoming people into her home for short or long stays. Her hospitality included plenty of home cooked food, particularly her pound cake, zucchini bread, and gingerbread. Thankfully, she recorded those for posterity!

She met and then married Elmer Elliott, her beloved husband of 59 years who preceded her in death, on December 2, 1961. In 1964, her only surviving child – Lauri Elliott – was born. Both Alyce and Elmer excelled at being parents to Lauri, who often had her own thoughts for how things should be!

She was also preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings. She is survived by her only living child, Lauri. She is survived by her brothers-in-law, Eugene Williams (Virginia), and H. Whitley Johnson, Jr.; and by sisters-in-law - Lorene Green (Donald), Dian Sims (John), Bessie Henderson (Jerome), Claudette Henderson (Robert, Jr.), and Rose Ann Johnson.

She is also survived by her nephews – Darrell Williams, Terry Harper, Ted Harper, Roderick Calhoun, Jalon Greene, Bobby Pass, Tory Henderson, Ozzie Wilcox, and Jonathan Sims; and by nieces – Missy Jones, Betty Wilcox-Wright, Chantal Harper, Sonya Williams, Tamara Henderson, Jalicia Henderson, Amy Harper, Lauren Greene, and Raven Henderson. She is also survived by great and great-great nephews and nieces.

Alyce’s surviving godchildren are Anthony Bicy, Samina Das Barritt, Shaheen Das Eisenstein, Pedrick Jones, Jimiel Knighton, Toure Knighton, Richard Baldwin, Tamara Baldwin, Marla Baldwin, and Bradley Baldwin. She is survived by many other family members and friends.

Her life and legacy, however, can be summed up in her love for Jesus Christ. She wanted to make sure everyone knew Him as their Lord and Savior. She served faithfully at several different churches, including Second Baptist of Ann Arbor, MI; Pentecostal Temple COGIC of Inkster, MI; Shining Light Baptist Church of Monroe, NC; and The Shepherd’s Church of Cary, NC, Her love for Christ established her heart for all of humanity. In a world with increasing darkness and hate (Isaiah 60:1-2), that love can be seen in the rich legacy she leaves for generations and a poem she wrote related to Martin Luther King:

A King Pledge for Peace

I promise to remember that peace beings with me.

I promise to remember that all people should be free.

No matter what others do, I will stand for what is right.

And fight all injustices with every bit of my might!

With all my power and strength, I promise to do my best

To give violence and hatred an eternal grave of rest.

I promise to remember the teachings of Dr. King.

I promise to remember the peace my love can bring.

A viewing for Alyce Elliott is being held on July 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM. The viewing and funeral service will be held at The Shepherds Church, 6051 Tryon Road, Cary, NC 27518. She will be laid to rest with her beloved Elmer on July 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at 164 Longs Plant Farm Rd, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

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