Alice Loretta Gless

Alice Loretta Gless

August 10, 1927 – September 3, 2025

Alice Loretta Gless entered the Lord’s arms peacefully on September 3, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 10, 1927, Alice was the eldest daughter of Carl and Genevieve Fielding. She grew up with three brother, Carl, James, and Robert, who affectionately nicknamed her “Miss Bossy” and her sister, Ann Corrigan.

Alice worked in a variety of roles, including telephone operator, catering hall hostess, and secretary to the Postmaster of Brooklyn, NY. Her most cherished role, however, was raising her five children as a devoted single mother. During this time, she met Edward Gless, a postal inspector, and the two married in July 1972, sharing nearly 50 years together. After a short time in New Jersey, Alice and Ed traveled throughout the United States in their 5th wheel before settling in South Carolina.

Alice’s home was always filled with warmth, creativity, and the aroma of her homemade tomato sauce, made with vegetables gathered from Ed’s garden. She loved sewing, often dressing her five children alike in her handmade outfits. Later in life, she shared her talents through the Stitchers group at South Lexington Baptist Church, sewing gowns and pillows for hospitalized patients. She was also deeply committed to her church community, serving in the Literacy Program and the Baptist Prison Ministry. Her faith and servant’s heart touched many lives.

Alice is survived by her children, Jeanmarie (Richard) Sessa, Betteann Kottmyer, Alice Suarez, William Quinn, and son-in-law Gerald Gardepe; her stepchildren, Odette Woods, Brian (Cheryl) Gless, and Yvette Alou; as well as 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward; her daughter, Carla Gardepe; and her grandson, Billie Quinn.

In lieu of flowers, Alice requested that donations be made to the Connie Maxwell Baptist Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC, or the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare; 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401

Visitation will be held Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at South Lexington Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00 noon. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

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