Alice Kendrick

Alice Wilkie Kendrick, age 90, formerly of Henrietta and a resident of Oakland Living Center, died Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at Hospice House.
Alice was born on August 14, 1921 in Rutherford County, NC to the late Yates and Betty Wilkie. She was a graduate of Ellenboro High School class of 1938. After working at Henrietta Mill, she retired early and spent many years enjoying her passion of teaching people the art of ceramics from a shop in her home. Until she entered the assisted living facility, each Christmas she would give each and every family member a handmade ceramic ornament with their name and the year painted on it. This tradition of love amounted to dozens of ceramic ornaments being made by Alice. She also used her love for ceramics as a ministry and for many years created a hand painted Christmas ornament for each member of the Church of the Exceptional, where she also served as a former member of the Board of Directors.
She was also a wonderful cook who loved to can vegetables from her garden and prepare family meals. She will be lovingly remembered as the Mamaw who made the best chocolate gravy and sweet tea.
Alice was also an avid seamstress who created beautiful original quilts and ensured that her children and grandchildren possessed one of her comforting labors of love as part of her legacy.
She was of a faithful member of her beloved church, Henrietta First Baptist, where she served in various ministries as a Sunday School Teacher, Training Union Director/Teacher, Church Clerk, Choir Director, WMU Director, GA leader, Bible School Teacher/Worker. She lived an exemplary life and modeled the life of Christ Jesus to her family and community.
Alice will be remembered for her loving compassion and generosity by all who knew her. The family has great comfort knowing she is now in the presence of her precious Lord and Savior with her new body and mind. She has been reunited with the family and friends who have entered heaven before her.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her devoted husband of 54 years, Charles, a precious daughter, Frieda Proctor and two brothers, Joe Wilkie and Robert Wilkie.
She was a loving mother to Jerry Kendrick and wife, Vicki of Purvis, MS, Ronnie Kendrick and wife, Phyllis of High Point, NC, Tommy Kendrick and wife, Wanda of Forest City, NC, Tonda Radford and husband, Edward of Sandy Mush; one son in-law, Larry Proctor of Shelby. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren.