Alice L. Tollison

Alice Tollison of Ivanhoe, California peacefully slipped into the arms of her Savior on Sunday morning at the age of 98. This was just eight days shy of her 99th birthday. She passed away in the comfort of her daughter's home surrounded by family members. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Alice was born in Denning, Arkansas on September 12, 1917 to Harley and Viola Phillips. She attended schools in Altus and Ozark, graduating from Ozark High School. She was married to Myrl Tollison for 52 years until his death in 1991. While Myrl was serving in the US Army, Alice moved to California traveling by train with family. Upon Myrl’s discharge from the Army he joined her in California where they raised their family.

Anyone who came to her door was welcomed with open arms and often enjoyed whatever meal she was preparing or just dessert and coffee or as simple as a glass of sweet iced tea. She loved having her family home for all the holidays, treating them to all their favorite home-cooked foods, especially the many fruit cobblers and a variety of pies. Before her eyes failed, she pieced a quilt top for each of her seven children.

Alice was an avid “Lakers” fan and rarely missed a televised game. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, working puzzles and many board games. She enjoyed making jams and freezing the bounty from the family’s huge garden. Her greatest accomplishment was raising her children.

She is survived by her children: Norma (Doug) Clore of Salmon, ID, Deanna (Bill) Canario of Playa del Rey, CA, Mary Jo (Bob) Worley of Visalia, CA, Judy Tompkins of Show Low, AZ, Linda (Rob) Hayward of Daniel, WY, Phil (Patti) Tollison of Ivanhoe, CA and John (Cookie) Tollison of Springville, CA, 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Myrl, her parents, three brothers, Harley, Mickey and Jim Phillips, one sister, Sara Tollison, one granddaughter, Barbara Clore, as well as a son-in-law Don Tompkins.

She was a member of the Exeter Church of the Nazarene and very involved in LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together) while attending the Ivanhoe Church of the Nazarene.

Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, California on Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 3pm to 6pm. Funeral services will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 10am with burial to follow in the Visalia District Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers you may make donations to Optimal Hospice, 2439 Whitendale Ave. Suite B, Visalia, CA 93277, Exeter Church of the Nazarene, 400 W. Visalia Rd, Exeter, CA 93221 or your favorite charity.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.