Alice C. Reichel

Alice Cecelia Norris Reichel, 81, of Leonardtown, MD, died on May 30, 2024. She was born in Washington, D.C. on April 18, 1943 to the late Alice Virginia Day and Stephen Hillery Johnson, Jr. After the death of her father during infancy, Alice was raised by her loving great-aunt Sarah Ada Burch and Robert Miller Beall, whom she called “mama” and “daddy.” Alice moved back to the family homestead in Medley’s Neck in the early 1950s, where she attended Father Andrew White School and St. Mary’s Academy. Alice is survived by her sister, Catherine V. Oden, and brother, Dennis W. Thorne (Cheryl). She was preceded in death by sisters, Marjorie “Margie” Roland Tessier, Marion “Nunzie” Nelson, and Jeannie “Puff” Marshall. Alice met the love of her life, the late Carroll Ignatius “C.I.” Norris, Sr., whom she married on February 21, 1959 at Our Lady’s Chapel, Leonardtown, MD. She is survived by her children: Donna L. Bowles (James Aubrey “Junior”), Lois Ann Lacey (John “Johnny”), Shirley Ann Brooks, and Carroll Ignatius Norris, Jr., all of Hollywood, MD. She is predeceased by her children, Susan Marie Norris, James Carroll Norris, Alice Cecelia Norris, and son-in-law, David Allen Brooks, Sr. She is survived by ten grandchildren: Lisa Bowles Cooksey (Charlie) of Hollywood, MD, Robert S. “Bobby” Lacey, Sr. (Stacey Wathen) of Mechanicsville, MD, Angela “Angie” Lacey Tennyson (Steve) of Hollywood, MD, James “Jamie” A. Bowles (Rebecca) of Hollywood, MD, Justin D. Norris (Ben Fineman) of Burbank, CA, Steven A. Brooks (Samantha “Sam”), of Hollywood, MD, Samantha Norris Barnett (Chris) of Lusby, MD, David M. Foley of Leonardtown, MD, Alexander “Alex” Woodburn of Hollywood, MD, and Payton M. Norris of Mechanicsville, MD. Alice is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Charles “C.J.” Cooksey, Jr. (Alexis), Carlee Cooksey, Robert S. “Robby” Lacey, Jr., Laci Tennyson, Stephen “S.J.” Tennyson, Jr., Aubrey Bowles, Noah Bowles, Faith A. Brooks, Camden Brooks, and Piper Brooks. She also welcomed her first great-great grandchild, Nathan Cooksey. After the death of her late husband, Alice married Rudolph A. “Rudi” Reichel on May 20, 1991 at Dent Memorial Chapel, Charlotte Hall, MD. She is survived by step-sons: Jerry South of Annapolis, MD, and Rudi Reichel, Jr. of Huntingtown, MD. She was preceded in death by her step-son, Darren South. Alice is also loved and admired by 14 nieces and nephews, many cousins and relatives, and numerous dear friends. Alice was fearless when it came to business. She co-founded several enterprise, including C.I. Norris & Son Concrete, Norris Express, Inc., as well as a ceramics studio, plumbery, video rental store, and pool installation business. Later in life, she shared her sand and gravel expertise with Howlin Concrete and Chaney Enterprises, where she eventually retired. In addition to her professional achievements, Alice cherished time spent with loved ones. She delighted in hearing her grandchildren's laughter over the phone, enjoyed regular meals with her children and siblings, and valued the monthly lunches shared with her friends the “Penney's Ladies.” She also found joy in attending the weekly bluegrass jam sessions led by her godson and his band, the "California Ramblers." A fierce competitor on the shuffleboard court, Alice amassed an impressive collection of league trophies and awards. A monthly potluck and pitch tournament with her Johnson cousins was a tradition held dear. Holidays brought the joy of playing pitch with her sons-in-law, while the Cedar Lane Apartments, her home in later years, provided a community where she relished bingo nights, card games, and the company of friends. Alice's quiet joy, her love for family and friends, and her entrepreneurial spirit will forever be remembered by those whose lives she touched. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD, where a Mass of Christian will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Father Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Cemetery, Hollywood, MD. Friends and family will be received for fellowship at Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, 22733 Lawrence Avenue, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Ricky Norris, Joey Tippett, Bobby Lacey, Jamie Bowles, C.J. Cooksey, and Alex Woodburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Lisa Cooksey, Angie Tennyson, Samantha Barnett, and Payton Norris. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD, 20650.