Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

At the age of 91, Alice Marie Perry Mothershead departed the confines of this earth on Saturday morning, November 4, 2023, to be reunited with her beloved husband, Gladwyn Andrew “Billy” Mothershead, Jr., and her cherished granddaughter, Michelle Keyser, along with many other dearly departed loved ones.  Alice Marie arrived in King George County on a snowy January 30, 1932.  She was born in a small bed beneath the window at the end of the upstairs hallway at the home built by her grandfather where family members still live near Index, VA.  Lillie “Mama” & Eubank “Papa” Dickinson doted on their 1st grandchild.  Her parents were living in Washington, DC, and Papa didn’t think that was a proper place to raise a child.  He saw to it that she spent most of her young life at the Dickinson homeplace.  Alice Marie and her aunt Leola Dickinson Dennison grew up together as though they were sisters.  Special friends Luther and Virginia Wilkins of Westmoreland County, Leola and Wayne “Denny” Dennison, and Alice Marie and Billy where all married in 1949.  Alice Marie was 17 years old when she and Billy married.  He was also born at home in King George at his parent’s farm near Shiloh on what is now known as Canterbury Loop.  They both went to King George High School.

Alice Marie’s first job was with the King George County Health Department (8 years).  While her life was dedicated to her family and raising her children, Susan & Mark, in 1967 she ran and was elected as a Justice of the Peace where she served for 4-5 years before they switched over to being Magistrates and then had to work out of the courthouse.  Prior to that the state troopers and sheriff’s deputies would bring suspects to her home.  These positions are no longer filled through elections.

So many life fulfilling experiences — Alice Marie’s career(s) encompassed the following occupations:  22 years as a Magistrate for the 15th Judicial District of the Supreme Court of Virginia serving most often in King George County; substitute Mail Carrier and Postal Clerk; 20 years as Secretary at Powhatan Plantation owned by Raymond Guest who served in the Virginia Senate and as United States Ambassador to Ireland; and 8 years at the Ladysmith Medical Center in Caroline County.  She also served as the Treasurer of Round Hill Baptist Church near Ninde for 35 years (1961-1996) where Billy also served as a deacon and trustee.  Alice Marie will be remembered for her beautiful alto voice which added such a melodic harmony to the choir at Round Hill.

In their early years, Alice Marie and Leola enjoyed bowling together in the league at Dahlgren.  On the weekends, Alice Marie and Billy faithfully followed the NASCAR circuit at home on TV.  They also held season tickets at Charlotte and frequently travelled to Talladega, Daytona, Darlington, et al.  Their son Mark travelled with them during his teen years and has many fond memories from those race days.

In 2009, at the age of 77, Alice Marie finally retired to further enjoy life!  They loved visiting Virginia Beach and travelled aboard many cruises.  Alice Marie was also an excellent cook.  We are going to miss her mashed potatoes, potato salad and many have tried to duplicate her rice pudding to no avail.

Lastly, in January 2016, Alice Marie and Billy moved to Spring Arbor of Winchester so they could be closer to their children.  Billy passed in 2017 at the home of his daughter in Cross Junction, VA.  They were married for 67 years.

In addition to the loss of her husband Billy (1927-2017) and her 1^st granddaughter Michelle Renee Pride Keyser (1984-2019), Alice Marie was preceded in death by her parents Ethel Mae Dickinson Perry (1910-1994) and Ernest Henry Perry (1910-1959).

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Mothershead Pride of Cross Junction, Virginia, and Susan’s grandson, Gerecht Allen Keyser; her son and daughter-in-law Mark Andrew Mothershead (Lori) of Stephens City, VA, and their children Jaclynn Marie Mothershead Mendoza and son Maximus Aiden Mendoza, Navy Machinist Nuclear E3 Andrew Dimitri Mothershead, Samantha Mae Mothershead, Olivia Harrison Cirasuolo (Cameron) and Emily and William Harrison; sisters-in-law Betty Jane Mothershead Ranson and family of South Carolina and Barbara Jean Mothershead Hill and daughter Stacey of Illinois; devoted first cousins Sheri Dennison and Wendi, Gracelynn and Wrayne Wynn of Index in King George County, Joanne Leola Beury Goodin (Michael) in Spotsylvania County and second cousins Sandy Olive Berry (Tommy) and their children Donna Barnum (Steve) and Kevin Berry (Paula) and their families from Marengo Farm in Tetotum, King George County, as well as many other loving friends and relatives.

The family will receive friends from 12 until 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service which will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Round Hill Baptist Church, 16519 Round Hill Road, King George, with the Rev. Ted James officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery followed by a repast in the church fellowship hall.

In honor of Alice Marie’s devotion to her church, her family, and King George County, memorial contributions may be made to: (1) RHBC Building Fund, 16519 Round Hill Road, King George, VA 22485, or (2) The Gerecht Allen Keyser Fund c/o Rose McDonald, 1085 Collinsville Rd., Cross Junction, VA 22625, or (3) The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region (CFRRR) designated for The Wayne A. Dennison Fund, a nonprofit, public 501(c)(3) charity established to provide support for the foundation’s administrative expenses benefiting the people of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Caroline counties and the city of Fredericksburg.  Checks may be mailed to Box 208, Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0208, or donations may be made online at cfrrr.org/wayne-a-dennison-fund/.

Condolences may be left for the family at storkefuneralhome.com.