Alvertis Holliday

Alvertis Holliday, Sr. 92 died March 8, 2016. He was born November 11, 1923 in Lamar County, Alabama, the second of the four children (Henry; Alvertis; Ruby; and Oscar) of Knox and Isabelle (Henry) Holliday. His mother died when he was eleven years old, leaving his father alone to rear the children, which he did successfully. Alvertis loved driving anything with wheels. So, while his brother, Henry, was building box cars, Alvertis was test driving them, often with disastrous results. He attended the Lamar County Training School, was drafted into the army shortly upon graduation and stationed in the Philippines. He was assigned to the motor pool, the department of his dreams, and once “borrowed” an army vehicle to visit his brother Henry, who was stationed at the other end of the island. Upon his honorable discharge, he headed straight to a car dealership, purchased a car and visited many cities, before deciding to settle in Kansas City, Kansas. There he dutifully found a church home at St. Peter’s CME Church, and joined the youth choir. He secured a job at one of the packing houses in “the bottoms” and quickly made friends. One of his co-workers offered to set him up on a blind date. However, the guys walked past each other at the designated meeting time and place, as neither recognized the other outside of their meat packing uniforms. The rescheduled meeting was successful and Alvertis fell in love at first sight with his blind date, Constance Fouts. She must have felt the same, as they were married months later on August 26, 1947. Her family quickly nicknamed him “Peace”, as he frequently attempted to calm their sometimes rambunctious family. After the packing house, Alvertis worked at the Hercules Ammunition Plant in Sunflower, Kansas, before securing a job at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base, where he operated heavy equipment. He retired from Richards Gebaur after 35 years of service and started his own excavation company. Alvertis was devoted to his church, where he became a steward, trustee, lay leader, class leader and, because he loved to sing, the member of several choirs. His community involvement led him to memberships in his neighborhood club, several retirement clubs, and the position of precinct committee man, manning the voting polls. His love of cars drove him to purchase many, even his prized 1949 Ford, all of which he came well maintained and polished. His love of travel both out of the country and within was displayed on his car with the stickers from the 20 states he had visited. However, his most memorable trip was to the Holy Land. He found the good in every man and every situation, often using the quote, “it could be worse”. He loved family, both extended and immediate, and was especially proud of grandson, Toussaint; granddaughter, Amy; and his great-grandsons, who he called his “buckaroos”, Kendrick; and Amari. His son, Alvertis, Jr.; and wife, Constance; and brother, Henry; preceded him in death. Leaving to mourn his ascent into heaven are daughters, Gayle Holliday; and Joy Lawrence; grandchildren, Toussaint Turner; and Amy Richardson; great-grandchildren, Kendrick Davis; and Amari Jones; brother, Oscar Holliday; sister, Ruby Dees; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.chapelhill-butler.com as burial arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 701 North 94th Street in Kansas City, Kansas (913)334-3366.