JOPLIN, Mo. —
Alice L. Buzzard, age 90, Joplin, passed away Jan. 11, 2013, at the Spring River Christian Village.
She was born April 26, 1922, in Burlington Junction, Mo. to the late Herschel and Nellie Wiley Houston. They lived in St Joseph and Webster Groves, Mo. before moving to Joplin when she was 14.
In high school her nickname was "Happy" and she was indeed a very happy person all her life. While attending Joplin High School, she played violin in the orchestra, drum in the drum corps, and sang in the First Methodist Choir. She was very artistic and enjoyed china painting but her passion was sewing. She spent many happy hours at her machine. When her sight was affected by macular degeneration, sewing was the thing she missed the most.
Alice married George "Jack" Buzzard Oct. 12, 1952, in Joplin, while both were working at Crown Coach Lines. He preceded her in death Nov. 19, 1985. After Jack passed away, she moved to Albuquerque, N.M. in 1994, to live with her daughter, Debbie and husband, Sam. She moved back to Joplin with them in 2010, residing at Spring River Christian Village.
Alice was a devoted wife and mother, making sure that Debbie had the opportunity to take dancing, piano and organ lessons. She was very active in Girl Scouts, serving as Debbie's troop leader for 11 years.
Alice is survived by her daughter, Debbie and her husband, Sam Miller; nephews, William Michael Smith, Jack Coxen and Jimmy Coxen; and granddog, Ricky, Bedlington Terrier and therapy dog with whom she shared her birthday. In addition to her parents and husband; Alice was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Houston Smith, of Tampa, Fla.
Memorial services for Alice will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Spring River Lower Chapel with Rev. Allen Brintnall officiating. A private burial will take place in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery prior to the memorial service. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Parker Mortuary.
The family wishes to thank the numerous staff at Spring River that lovingly cared for Alice during her time there. Also, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland, Macular Degeneration Support or a charity of donor's choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
