Alice Grace Smith Heath

Alice was born July 4, 1927 in Cuyler, daughter of the late John and Florence Bennett Smith and was raised by her foster parents, Ray and Leah Hollenbeck Emerson.

She took over the Curiosity Shop on South Main in 1972 and was a Homer Rural Mail Carrier from 1971-1975. She cleaned classrooms at night and was the lunchroom attendant at the Homer Elementary School.

In 1976, Alice proudly and lovingly took her place as Crossing Guard on Main Street in Homer, where she remained until June 2010.

Alice was a life-member of the Homer Congregational Church and was also an active participant in the family at God's Lighthouse of Praise.

“Gramma Heath” as she was known by many is survived by her children, James (Debra) Heath; Patricia Greenwood and Nancy Heath; three brothers, Harold Smith; Raymond 'Bud' Smith, Sr. and Howard ‘Bobby’ Smith; a sister-in-law, Doris (Leo) Smith; adopted children, Bonnie Jackson, Rita (Nate) Wright and Toby (Dollee) Gamble. Also surviving are her grandchildren, John (Jena) Sackett; Billie Jo (Brad) Hawn; Jason (Teri) Sackett; Teresa Greenwood; Rebecca (Darren) Brabaw; Kelly Heath; adopted grandchildren, R.T. Elmer, Nicole Aiken, Joe Wood, Joshua, Elizabeth, Caleb and Nathaniel Wright, several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Jessie (George) Baker; Leo Smith; two foster sisters, Janice (Gordon) Fox and Eleanor Jessmer and her grandson, Pfc. Shawn P. Falter.

The family will receive friends at the Donald L. Barber Funeral Home, 5016 N. Main St., Homer on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 6-8 p.m.

A memorial celebration of Alice’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at God's Lighthouse of Praise, 98 Port Watson St., Cortland, with Pastors Rita and Nate Wright officiating. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery, Homer will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in Alice's memory may be directed to the Shawn Falter Memorial Scholarship, c/o Homer Education Foundation, PO Box 174, Homer, NY 13077, God's Lighthouse of Praise, 98 Port Watson St., Cortland, NY 13045 or the Homer Fire Dept., PO Box 58, Homer, NY 13077.