Alice Amelia (Dove) Pirkle

Alice Amelia (Dove) Pirkle, of Gonzales, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the age of 101. Alice was born on Aug. 26, 1918 in Karnes County, Texas to Margaret Kerill and I.J. Ben Dove. On Sept. 8, 1934, she married Stephen Pirkle in Gonzales, Texas. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gonzales, as well an active member in the XYZ Club, the Quilting B’s, and the Joy Bells.

Shortly after getting married, Stephen and Alice built their home in Gonzales, Texas, where they lived and raised their six children. In this home, Alice spent the next 82+ years doing all things life could offer. To say she was a homemaker would be an understatement. Alice enjoyed needlework and sewing, gardening and canning her produce, and cooking for her family. One of her most famous dishes was her delicious fruit cake. There was not a thing that Alice could not do! She was a collector of all antiques, her favorite being her pink Miss America dish set that she proudly displayed in her home. She was a highly active member in her church, but she did love to travel, and made many memorable road trips with her children.

Alice is survived by her daughters, Betty Wootton of Gonzales, Alice Elizabeth Ray of Travis County, Sandra Stewart of Rusk, son, Stephen O. Pirkle and wife Beverly of Gonzales, 20 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 34 great-great-grandchildren, one great-great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen, of 51 years, parents, step-mother, Maggie Norsworthy Dove, daughter, Charlotte Doran, son, Ashley Wayne Pirkle, and siblings, Sue Pearson, Alnon Dove, Howard Dove, James Dove and Dorothy Keeton.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Ildiko Rigney and Rev. Alexandria Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Gonzales Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers include her grandsons: MG Wootton Jr., Bobby Doran Jr., Terry Pirkle, Michael Pirkle, Randy Pirkle, Carl Ray, Erin Ray, Tracy Stewart, and Billy Stewart Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or the First Lutheran Church. Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.