Obituary of Alice Birdie Carter DeBase
Alice Birdie Carter DeBase – beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend – passed away gracefully on the 27th of October 2022, with her loving family by her side.
She was born on April 19, 1929, to Cyrus and Emma Gold Carter in Little Rock, Ark.
Later her family moved to Dallas, where she completed her formal education, graduated from Anderson Bonner High School and Phillips Business College and attended courses at El Centro Jr. College. For many years, Alice was employed as the executive office manager of a large Dallas physicians’ practice.
In 1947, she married Eddie DeBase. To this union one daughter, Beverly Alice DeBase, was born. Alice is preceded in death by her parents, her brother George Carter, and her husband, Eddie DeBase.
Alice lived a life filled with joy, purpose and love. Hard work, service and love were her guideposts. She left an unforgettable impression on everyone she met with her wit, opinions and knowledge.
Her many passions included gardening, volunteering, reading, working crossword puzzles and serving as a neighborhood activist. In earlier years, she served on various community advisory boards including the Park South YMCA Board. She was currently the president of her neighborhood group, Rose Garden Neighborhood Organization.
During the height of segregation, she participated in various protests, including picketing department stores where African American women were not allowed to try on clothes and the State Fair of Texas’ “Negro Day.” However, her major loves were God and family.
With her infectious spirit, radiant smile and unwavering loyalty, Alice showed us all how to live a rich and meaningful life.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving daughter, Beverly DeBase; brother, Cyrus Carter, Hayward, Calif.; sister, Douthulia Gardner, Georgetown, Texas; sister, Rose Cole (Billy), Mesquite, Texas; grandson, Ebun DeBase (Tonya), Mesquite, Texas; great-grands Trevor, Kiemani, and Darius; great-great-grands, Zayne and Tomas; one niece, two nephews and a number of cousins and friends.
