Alice Berry Hemphill passed from this life on January 7, 2020 at Coleman County Medical Center. She was born Alice Elizabeth Berry on Friday, August 13th, 1948 to Delle and James Berry in Lampasas, Texas. At an early age she moved with her family to Taylor, Texas and then to College Station. She graduated A&M Consolidated High School in May 1966 and Texas A&M University on May 23, 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. While a student at A&M she met and married Joe Pat Hemphill on December 27, 1969 in Lampasas. Their first home was in Snook, Texas. She taught Kindergarten in College Station while Joe Pat finished Vet School.
Joe Pat and Alice moved to Coleman in 1971 and she became the first receptionist/business manager/veterinary assistant when she and Joe Pat built Coleman Veterinary Clinic. She left the clinic in 1973 to become a full-time mother to her sons, Heath, born September 11, 1973 and Brent, born January 27, 1976. Later, she taught English I at Coleman High School for many years.
Alice was a lover of all animals especially horses, dogs and cats. She was also a very knowledgeable producer of beef cattle and took an active role in the operation and management of their family ranch in northern Coleman County.
She was a best friend and partner to Joe Pat, mother to Heath and Brent, and “Gran” to Haigen, J.Z, Ethan and Hadley. She and Joe Pat celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 27th.
Alice was tremendously involved in the activities of Coleman County and she expected the same of each member of her family. She served in leadership roles in the Circle C Cattlewomen, Town and Country Garden Club and Keep Coleman Beautiful. She was a charter member of the Coleman County Texas A&M University Mother’s Club, Aggie Moms. For almost 50 years, she was a willing worker during the annual Coleman PRCA Rodeo and gave freely of her time and resources to the Coleman County Youth Activity Center and the Goree Expo Center. In 2008, her many contributions were recognized as she was named “Rural Citizen of the Year”.
Alice was a proud member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Oran Milo Chapter, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1986, she served as Coleman County’s Chairman for the Sesquicentennial of the Statehood of Texas.
For many years, Alice could be found traveling to baseball games, football games, stock shows, horse shows and every other event that Heath and Brent, and later the grandkids, were involved in. She and Joe Pat were also very involved in the activities of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, and she enjoyed attending their events and seeing friends. Alice and Joe Pat have been longtime members of the First United Methodist Church of Coleman where she taught Sunday School and served as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Alice is preceded in death by her parents, James and Delle Berry; and her son, Brent Hemphill.
Alice is survived by her husband, Joe Pat Hemphill of Coleman; son, Heath Hemphill and wife Danyelle of Coleman; grandchildren, Haigen Elizabeth Hemphill, Joseph Zeno (J.Z.) Hemphill, Ethan Hemphill, Hadley Hemphill; one sister, Jan Persky of College Station; and niece, Dr. Laura Marsh and husband Dustin of College Station.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church, 500 W. Liveoak Street, in Coleman. Officiating will be Richard Hetzel, assisted by David Medley.
Memorials are suggested in memory of Alice to the Coleman County Youth Activity Center, P.O. Box 766, Coleman, Texas 76834 or to the Coleman County Medical Center Auxiliary, 310 S. Pecos, Coleman, Texas 76834.
Arrangements are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman.
Remembrances and condolences can be expressed to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.
