ALICE KATE HEARN

Alice Kate Orange Hearn was born on July 14, 1934 in the black community of Altair in Waynesboro, Wayne County, Mississippi. She was the first-born child of Lela Mae Orange and the only child of Benjamin Lewis.  

Alice spent her early years under the guidance and protection of her Papa (Alonzo) and Mama (Katie) Orange, as well as the watchful eye of her Aunt Ruby Lee Orange Coleman. She accepted Christ as her Savior early in her life. 

When Alice became of high school age, she moved to Laurel, Mississippi, where she attended Oak Park High School and was a graduate of the Class of 1952. After high school, she furthered her education at Alcorn College. After leaving college, she moved to Erie, PA to stay with her Aunt Ruby and live with her Coleman family. While in Erie, she worked in accounting at one of the local businesses. 

During her time at Oak Park High School, she met the love of her life, Johnnie Thomas Hearn. They were married on January 2, 1955, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church (Laurel, Mississippi), and had fifty-nine (59) years together until his death on July 26, 2014. From this union, two children were born, Johnny Tremain Hearn and Michelle Rene Hearn.  

Alice moved to San Antonio to be with her husband soon after they were married. Subsequently, she began her career with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) until her retirement. She also joined and became a long-time, life member of West End Baptist Church where she served in various ministries, including as a member of the sanctuary choir. 

Alice faithfully supported her husband, Johnnie, during the 29-years he served in the United States Air Force. She and their children moved with him to Yokota AB, Japan from 1974-1977, while he was assigned to Military Aircraft Command. Upon completion of that tour of duty, they moved to Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX, until Johnnie’s retirement in September 1978, after which they returned to San Antonio.  

Alice considered San Antonio home and had many friends in the city, most of whom preceded her in death. She made many new friends and clients as her reputation for having notably strong sewing skills spread across the community. Many prom, homecoming, and evening dresses, and tailored men’s suits came to be from her many sewing machines. Despite the years, you can still meet people in San Antonio that can say Alice made or altered something special for them personally. 

To know Alice was to love Alice. She was a woman with strong values and love for her family and friends.  

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Thomas Hearn, who was there to greet her as she walked through the heavenly gates on Friday morning. She was also preceded in death by her mother, Lela Mae Simmons; her father, Benjamin Lewis; her brothers, Willie P. Simmons, Lonnie Henry Simmons, Albert Chester Simmons; her sisters, Dorothy Jean (Simmons) Burke, Mary Jean (Simmons) Burney; her Papa (Alonzo) and Mama (Katie) Orange; and her beloved Aunt Ruby Lee (Orange) Coleman. She leaves to mourn her passing her son, Johnny T. (Cynthia) Hearn, San Antonio, Texas and her daughter, Michelle R. Hearn, Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Michele D. Hearn (Plano, Texas); her brothers, William Herman Simmons and Ralph Simmons (Atlanta, Georgia); her sister, Cynthia Diane (Simmons) Walton (Charlotte, North Carolina); sister-in-law, Alice Ruth (James) McRae (Augusta, Georgia); goddaughter, Sharon D. (Jones) Hart (Orange County, California), as well as her very close friends, Dorothy and Robert Douglas (Carson, California). She also leaves many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, and a community that embraced her for the woman she was.