Alice Lucille Cromartie

Most are aware of Charles Lindberg and his famous flight from New York across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20, 1927. History was made that day as flight was now making the world smaller. However, few know about how history was changed just five months earlier in Homestead, Florida on December 29, 1926. Augustus and Vera Cromartie welcomed their second child into the world. Brother Bill was there to welcome her into the family. Sometime later, Jack would be welcomed in as the final family member. She would shape history by modeling what it is to be a servant and nurturer to many who would have their lives shaped by her love for them. Baby Cromartie was named Alice Lucille. Augustus was a farmer who raised his family on an island in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. She loved her family and her childhood. Alice would tell stories of walking rabbits as they ran from mowing fields. Additionally, she enjoyed telling of life through hurricanes on this small island. Apparently, the island they lived on near Belle Glade, Florida, would sink during these hurricanes. As the house was built on stilts, the family was okay. She told of poling out in a wash tub, to take clothes off the line for drying. Farm and island life helped her grow into strong and resourceful young woman. Throughout her childhood, adolescence and adulthood, she was especially close to her father’s sister, Ivy Julia Cromartie. Alice adored Ivy and spent as much time with her as possible. Ivy was a true pioneer. She wanted to be a teacher like her father. After she graduated high school, Ivy was hired by the Dade County School System to teach in Fort Lauderdale. She moved there by covered wagon. There were only 6 Caucasian families living there. The one-room class room was completed in 1899. In addition to teaching school for the community and English to the Seminoles, she eventually married Frank Stranahan. His trading post remains there today, the Pioneer House on the New River. It was in this home that Alice spent most of her summers with her beloved aunt. Their bond was very strong. Alice told stories of her aunt taking her to the beach and leaving her for the day to do as she pleased. Alice was left with some oranges and a bright colored bathing suit for the day. Alice explained that the bright swimsuit was so her Aunt could find her at days’ end. Ivy believed in education. This inspired Alice to go to college. She attended the Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee, Florida. She took a Bachelors of Science in Food and Nutrition. Later she took a Masters Degree in the same subject area. Additionally, she was accepted in a doctoral program in Boston. She declined the program in favor of a nutrition career in Tallahassee, Florida. While in her academic career, she took many honors and was active in honor societies. Her first husband was John A. Simpson, DDS. She enjoyed helping raise his two sons. They were together for 20 years. Following his passing and recovery of the loss, she married James Cassels of Cairo, GA. During their five years of marriage, she enjoyed his three grown sons and their families. She especially enjoyed providing care for his elderly relatives. After Jim’s passing and recovery from the loss, she married, for the last time at age 79, Robert L. Stafford in Glenville, NC. She enjoyed his two grown daughters and their families. She was widowed for the third time when Bob passed in 2021. Alice adored her brothers. She lost her oldest brother Bill first. This was difficult for her. She has enjoyed his two sons and their families over many years. Brother Jack’s family had six children. She lost Jack in March of 2006. This was painful for her, now having lost all of her siblings. Alice was close to all of them and their families. Through her brothers’ families, she enjoyed multiple nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all of these people and many more! A private graveside service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Alice Lucille Cromartie

December 29, 1926 - May 9, 2022