Louise Mae Griffith Alcorn, 86, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2018, in Blacksburg Virginia.
She was born to her parents, Alonzo Earnest and Mary Clemence (Hardy) Griffith, on July 14, 1931 in Hackensack, NJ. She grew up in Cascade, Virginia where she met her future husband, Herb Alcorn, in Sunday School at Cascade Baptist Church when they were both ten years old. She graduated from Brosville High School and went on to receive her college degree from Campbell University, Bouies Creek NC.
Herb and Louise were married in Cascade, Virginia on December 29, 1951. During Herb’s service in the Air Force Louise worked as legal secretary to the vice president of law for Dan River Mills in Danville, Va. In 1953 the couple moved to Blacksburg where Herb graduated from Virginia Tech (1956), and they founded a number of businesses and a family of four sons. She often said—with a sparkle in her eyes—that she ran a men’s locker room and raised five boys, counting Herb.
Few people know she played women’s basketball while in high school and college, and she enjoyed reminding her sons and grandsons of her competitive streak while watching us play various sports. Later in life she took up tennis, which she played with an indomitable spirit and a wicked side serve well into her 70’s. She was also a player in perhaps the longest-running Bridge group in town where she enjoyed friendships forged over decades.
Family get-togethers for holidays and events were always raucous affairs, filled with laughter and stories, but she could always tame the crowd with one of the many creations from her kitchen. She was blessed with the gift of music, and could turn to any song in the hymnal and bring it to life on the piano. Her joyous spirit lives on in her family as the most precious treasure we will ever embrace.
Louise most loved her family, friends and her faith. She taught her sons to always do our best, have respect for others, look for the good in all things, and no matter what life brings, meet it as gentlemen. We remember her generosity and kindness, her strength of spirit, and her sense of humor because that’s what helped her through the task of raising four head-strong boys and a successful husband.
Louise was a long-time member of Blacksburg Baptist Church and served diligently on many committees. She was a member of Eastern Star, culminating in her election as Worthy Matron (presiding officer). All who knew her came to love her quiet humility, genuine love for all, and a smile that would light any room.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Curtis Griffith and Marvin Griffith, and sister Ruby Sentman.
She is survived by her husband Herbert R. Alcorn Sr., sons H. Ray Alcorn Jr. (Kelly), Randy L Alcorn (Nancy), Rick L. Alcorn (Cathy) and Ron G. Alcorn (Debbie); grandchildren Lee Alcorn, Paul Alcorn (Missy), Christopher Alcorn, Adam Alcorn, Jared Alcorn (Jessica), Torylyn Floores, Lindsey Dobbins (Daniel Brewer), and Ryan Alcorn; two great-grandchildren Madelyn and Connor Brewer; sister Dorothy Franklin of Lynchburg Va., and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends special thanks to the caregivers from Warm Hearth at Home, and the doctors and staff at Lewis-Gale Montgomery Regional Hospital. Your kind care is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered.
Visitation was held on Feb. 9 at McCoy Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at Blacksburg Baptist Church at 4:00 p.m., today, Saturday, February 10 with the Rev. Tommy McDearis and Todd Milsaps officiating. Graveside services will be Monday at noon at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin.
Donations may be made to Blacksburg Baptist Church Land of Promise Fund, 550 N. Main St., Blacksburg, VA 24060.
