Alice Pauline DeVore

After 91 years of life, Alice Pauline DeVore accepted God’s invitation to enter Heaven on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Born in Fenton, Michigan on Christmas Eve, Alice’s life was filled with family and faith. A child of the Depression, she spent her early life being boarded, along with her two older brothers, with relatives and strangers as her parents took itinerant jobs around Michigan. She longed for a family she could call her own. In 1947 she married Harding Ferris, a World War II Marine aviator, and they had six children. After a divorce, she married Keith DeVore and completed her family with two more children.

She lovingly devoted herself to her family, determined to raise them to be polite, confident and able to take care of themselves and each other. Living in a large house on Lansing’s north side, her children learned to cook, do laundry, iron clothes and clean the house. Leading by example, she instilled in them the values of integrity, hard work, responsibility and care for others. She was patient when they challenged her and comforting when they faced obstacles. Above all she let them know that they were loved no matter what.

Alice was also devoted to her faith. She loved Jesus and the Bible, and shared her joy in her faith with all she encountered. She especially loved singing traditional hymns. She taught herself to read music and play the piano so she could accompany herself while singing. Her talents led her to becoming a church choir director for several churches she attended over the years. Believing that her joy in her faith should be with others, she managed the missionary program for the Maple Grove Baptist Church for many years. She only stopped when her failing eyesight made working on the computer difficult.

Alice was preceded in death by her husbands, Harding Ferris and Keith Devore, and her son Michael Ferris. She is survived by her children Tom (Carol) Ferris, Nancy (Ulli) Jonen, Judi (Bob) Stowell, Joanne (Ken) Reiss, Merialice Jensen, Bob (Vicki) DeVore and Chere (Clyde) Zittel. Her family included 27 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren, in addition to many nieces and nephews including special nephew Greg (Susie) Cooper.

What a family!

Family and friends will gather to remember her and celebrate her life on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am, with a funeral service to take place at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Missionary Fund of Discover Life Church, 711 Kendon Drive, Lansing, MI 48910