Obituaries

Alice L Preston

Photo of Alice L Preston
Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother Alice L. Preston born in Paraloma, Ark. on Dec. 16, 1907 and passed away June 24, 2010 at her son's home in Hot Spring, Ark. She was preceded in death by her husband Clark Preston; her parents Rev. R.W. Walker and Lizzie Walker; one brother Sylvester Walker; two sisters Beatrice Johnson, Hattie Fountain. Survived by one son Rev. Richard C. Preston(Hazel); four grandchildren, Belinda Johnson, Ulysses Preston (Darcell) all of Hot Springs, Ark., Felecia Templeton(Stanley) Waco, Texas., Antonio Preston(Tijuana) McHenry, Ill.; seven great-grandchildren: Emeral Templeton, Angelica Preston, Spencer Templeton, Sage Johnson, Preston Johnson, Quentin Preston, and Raven Preston. Alice L. Preston was a Arkansas pioneer and activist for human, social, and educational rights, but her greatest love was for the Lord. One of her lasting legacies was her effort for the peaceful integration in the Murfreesboro school system. Alice Preston graduated in 1952 from Philander Smith College Magna Cum Laude Distinction. She taught from 1929-1965 in the one-room schoolhouse that later became her namesake, "Preston Elementary School." In 1975, she became the first woman and the first black elected to the Murfreesboro City Council. In 1979, Preston was honored with an appointment from Gov. Bill Clinton to the Arkansas State Board of Education. In 1980, she was recognized as the Horizon 100 Arkansas Women of Achievement. She was one of the 1992 honorees of the NAFEO in Higher Education Distinguished Alumni of the Year Citation. At 81, she wrote an essay titled "Coming of Aging Positively." In it, she wrote about her trek up and her decent down the mountain. She stated, "If you ask me what I have at my disposal? I will answer you – Love, and a lot of it. I love people. I love life. I love serving. I love God my father. I love Jesus my Savior. " She hopes that her trek up the mountain and having to overcome major social and economic barriers to achievement will give others the strength and tools to "make it." Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday June 29, 2010 at Scott's Memorial United Methodist Church in Paraloma, Ark. Inernment will follow in Paraloma Cemetery. Final arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Service 336 E Grand Ave Hot Springs (501) 623-7664.

Published June 27, 2010

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