Help us remember a journey worth celebrating, (mom) Alice
Alice, was on born October 22, 1929 and at the beautiful age of 96 she ran into the arms of Jesus on January 22, 2026.
Alice was born to Rufus and Ramona-Ramirez Gaona, into a family of twelve children. She is the last to join her brothers and sisters with the Lord, and from the beginning she understood the strength of family, the beauty of loyalty, and the quiet grace of showing up for the people you love. Those roots carried through her entire life—especially into the home she built and the family she raised.
Alice was devoted in her faith. Every day of her life was spent in prayer and reading the Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation, and then starting all over again. She spent each night ending her day in studying her Bible. Her nightly prayers covered her children every day - whether for safety, health, or simply to have a blessed day. She prayed and shared her faith eagerly, always ready to encourage others with the hope she carried.
Alice was an amazing cook—it wasn’t about being a gourmet cook, it was just homemade from scratch in a way that nourished you inside and out. Nearly every day, the smell of freshly rolled tortillas would fill the house, calling everyone to the kitchen. And the familiar clink of the tortilla bowl became the sound of catching a quick snack. This was one more small way her love showed up, warm and constant.
Alice dedicated many years as a Mary Kay consultant and approached it much the same way she did everything else—with kindness, care and just making people feel comfortable. She enjoyed sharing what she could to brighten someone’s day with friendly sincerity and a gentle smile.
Mom had a love for reading and equally enjoyed a good cup of coffee. She spent quality time with her husband Joe, sitting on the front porch, watching the hummingbirds at the feeders while neighbors walked by. She enjoyed the garden planter that framed her view with a mix of plants, flowers, and herbs: roses, poinsettias, and the basil which reseeded itself and was always ready for her everyday cooking. Most evenings, after a quick nap, the music loving duo could be spotted foot tapping in perfect time to the tunes of some of their favorites, like the Gaither Band, Dailey & Vincent etc... . When good music came on, so did they.
Alice and Joe were married in July 1960. Her marriage was strong—marked by respect, gentleness, and a steady devotion that endured through every season. That same dedicated love and assurance shaped her motherhood as she raised five sons and one daughter, offering them the kind of care that felt safe, faithful, and constant.
And then there was the dancing…
At a local dance, Joe saw Alice from across the way—and he was captivated. She wore a green chiffon dress, and tied at the waist a green satin ribbon. Her hair glistened fiery red, and when he got close, he noticed her green eyes. They danced. And what began that night became a lifelong rhythm - dancing arm and arm, again and again, throughout their whole life together.
Alice and Joe didn’t just enjoy dancing, they shared it. They would clear the den, powder the floor, and welcome friends and family for nights of music. They spent regular outings to the local dance gatherings and big band nights—celebrating life the way they knew best: together, arm and arm, making room for joy.
Anytime good music played in the background, they could be caught taking each other’s hand for a few steps together. More than once, strangers stopped them just to say how much they enjoyed watching them on the dance floor. And everyone agreed—Mom really made Dad look good.
Long before the years of dancing, Alice and Joe shared a typing class taught by Janis Joplin’s mother. Alice noticed Joe right away—and she couldn’t help but chuckle at the growing pile of wadded papers at the foot of his desk, always preceded by the zing of the rollers and the crumpling sounds that seemed to fill his side of the room.
In her final moments, the room was filled with love, surrounding her. Psalm 91 was playing as she ran into the arms of the Lord. And in a picture her children will never forget, her hand passed from being held by her children to being held by the Lord.
A message to her children, (Mike Tapia, Glynn Garcia & Diana Garcia, Rudy Garcia & Sheila Garcia and Lori Simmons & Jay Simmons) grandchildren (Evan Garcia, Trenton Garcia & Alexis Garcia, Ryan Garcia & Holly Garcia, Rachel Pilarski, Benjamin Tapia & Sarah Tapia) and great-grandchildren (Jackson Pilarski, Julia Pilarski, Olivia Tapia, Lilliana Tapia, Madyson Tapia, Mason Tapia, Cayden Tapia & Bailey Tapia). Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, might and all your mind. Share your faith.
Favorite bible verse: Psalm 91, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Join us in remembering her journey worth celebrating:
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 28, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Open viewing will be Thursday, January 29, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with the service starting at 11:00 AM.
All services will be held at: Melancon Levingston Funeral Home : 2001 Nall Street, Port Neches, TX 77651
Burial will follow service at Memorial Gardens Cemetery US-69, Nederland, TX.
We give thanks to God for Alice’s life—her faith, her gentleness, her steady love—and the joyful legacy she leaves behind.
On the drive home tonight, I missed Mom in the most ordinary way. She would say, “Call me when you get home.” And she meant it. Mom and Dad would walk us out to the driveway, waving with both arms as we pulled away—Mom mouthing, “Remember to call me,” holding an imaginary phone to her ear—then waving again, and again, until we disappeared around the next street.
Tonight there was no call to make… and still I had peace. She’d already covered that drive in prayer. She did it long before I backed out, and Heaven heard it first.
Just a few nights ago before she went to be with the Lord, I told Mom I loved her. She looked me straight in the eye, pointed with her soft little finger, and said, “I love you so much,” then held my face with her soft little hands.
Love you Mom!