Alice Marion Smith Reid

Todd Davis Robert R. Guesnon, Jr. Andrew J. Morgan

Honorary Pallbearers

Robert R. Guesnon, Sr. Christian Martin Reginald Brooks

Elliott Roche Alvin Martin Eli Randolph, III

Internment

Arrangements

St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 3421 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125

Celebration of Life

Alice Marion

Reid

Smith

Allen Brown, Jr. Edward Guesnon Kevin Guesnon

Active Pallbearers

Sunrise

February 7, 1913

Sunset

July 16, 2014

D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Ave.,

Acknowledgements

New Orleans, LA 70125

The family of the late Alice Marion Smith Reid would like to extend our sincere thanks for all of the support and sympathy expressed during the passing of our loved one. We are sincerely thankful and truly appreciate the prayers, cards and telephone calls.

Special Thanks to those who helped to care for Alice Reid: Ingrid Guard Bageon, Granddaughter; Elaine Guesnon, Great Granddaughter; Veronica Brooks, Niece; Emma Lee Guesnon, Sister-in Law and Crystal Cameron, Caregiver; Golden Girls, Camellia Gardens Assisted Living, Louisiana Hospice.

Sincerely, The Family

Friday, July 25, 2014

Visitation: 10:30 am – 11:30 a.m.

Funeral Service: 11:30 a.m.

Officiant: Reverend Peter Weiss, SSJ

Repast Rhodes Pavilion 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA

Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 453-2186

Mommie’s Life ALICE MARION SMITH REID entered into the world on February 7, 1913 to Ellen Washington Brooks of New Orleans but was reared in Edgard, Louisiana by her grandparents George and Estella Waller Washington. After completing school in St. John the Baptist Parish, she moved to New Orleans to complete her education where she met and later married Ralph Robert Reid of Convent, LA. Of this union, two children were born, Verna Ethel and Ralph Robert Reid, Jr. Alice was a stay-at-home mom until her children were old enough to be self-sufficient.

She began her employment as a domestic worker. Later, she worked as an elevator operator for Werlein’s Music Store on Canal Street. She moonlighted as a ticket-taker for the Municipal Auditorium whenever they had events such as operas or musicals.

When World War II began and war time jobs were available, she joined the Longshoreman’s union and began working at Delta Ship Yard. The war ended and she began working at Famous and Sternberg Suit Factory which later became Deansgate Men’s Suit Factory, where she remained for 30 years until her retirement. A hard worker, Alice took on a second job of “sitter” with a family caring for the father, mother and subsequently the daughter in the evenings after work. She loved to travel and putter in her garden, which was the show piece of the 8800 block of Apricot Street.

A Loving and caring mother, sister and aunt, Alice dutifully cared for most of her family from the youngest to the oldest emulating the beliefs of Jesus. She was the nurturer of her family, and provided for and took care of her late husband Ralph and her mother until their deaths. A trip to San Francisco was not too far for her to travel to care for her ailing brother until his death. Her Sister needed her during her last years and she was there cleaning her house and cooking meals. Her son, Ralph, Jr. was ill for many years and near the end, she was with him at Ochsner Hospital, day and night until his death. She was 80 years old. She considered herself “one of God’s chosen children.”

She always lamented, “God always finds a way for me to prevail, so I know that I am one of his chosen children”.

Alice departed this life on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at the age of 101 years, although she would never admit to her age. On one occasion at age 99, the chaplain asked to pray for her, she consented, but when he asked God to allow her to live and make her 100th birthday, She stopped him and told him, “Why are you asking God to keep me here to make 100, I don’t want to live to be that old.” Not only did God allow her to live long enough to make 100 but also 101. As a chosen child of God, she always lived by the motto, “ believe in God, work hard, save your money, take care of family and treat people the way you want them to treat you”.

She outlived her siblings, Leonard Anderson, Stella Smiles, Julia Thompson, Charles Brooks and Fabiola Brooks. She leaves to mourn her passing, her beloved and devoted daughter, Verna Reid Guesnon; four granddaughters, Ingrid Guard Bageon, Kathy J. Guard, Peggy Reid and Verna Hunt; one grandson, Robert R. Guesnon, Sr. (Cynthia); six great granddaughters, Dana Bageon of Virginia & Kellye Bageon of Mississippi, Elaine and Lori Guesnon, Nicole Williams and Shayla Taylor of California and three greatgrandsons, Robert R. Guesnon, Jr., and Glenn and Ronald Bozant of California. Also surviving are numerous great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

FOND MEMORIES

Farewell, Dear Mother

Music Reading of Obituary Reflections

Somewhere in my heart beneath all my grief and pain, Is a smile I still wear at the sound of your dear name.

The precious word is ‘MOTHER’, she was my world you see, But now my heart is breaking cause she’s no longer here with me.

God chose her for His angel to watch me from above, To guide me and advise me and know that I’m still loved.

The day she had to leave me when her life on earth was through, God had better plans for her, for this, I surely knew.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL “Amazing Grace”

Entrance Hymn Greeting

Placing of Baptism Pall

Ingrid G. Bageon, Kathy J. Guard Kellye Bageon, Elaine Guesnon

Opening Prayer

Rev. Peter Weiss, SSJ LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading

She truly was my best friend, someone I could confide in, She always had a tender touch and a warm and gentle grin.

Responsorial Psalm

I want to thank you Mother for teaching me so well, And though the time has come that I must bid you this farewell.

Gospel and Homily

Although you’ve left this earth and now you’ve taken flight, I know that you are here with me each morning, noon and night.

Kayla Buggage Rev. Peter Weiss, SSJ

When I think of her kind heart and all those loving years, My memories surround me and I can’t hold back the tears.

I’ll remember all you’ve taught me and make you proud you’ll see.

Thank you my Dear Mother for all the love you showed me.

Emeka Dibia Darryl Kilbert

Isaiah 10:1-8

Rev. Clarence Salter, Jr.

Psalm 23

Second Reading

Sam Young, Jr. Rev. Peter Weiss, SSJ

Prayer of the Faithful Offertory Hymn

Kellye Bageon

“His Eye is on the Sparrow”

Kayla Buggage

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Presentation of Gifts

Janice Lecesne, Emma Lee Guesnon Angela Rattler, Linda Legeaux

Communion Hymn

Emeka Dibia

Communion Meditation Hymn Closing Rite Recessional Hymn

“Holy One”

Kayla Bugage

Rev. Peter Weiss, SSJ “I’ll Fly Away” Emeka Dibia, Sam Young, Jr.

We Only Wanted You They say memories are golden well maybe that is true.

We never wanted memories, We only wanted you.

A million times we needed you, a million times we’ve cried.

If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a place no one can ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane, We’d walk the path to heaven, to bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

FOND MEMORIES