Alice Hanawalt

Park Ranger Alice F. Hanawalt of Rocky Mount died peacefully at home on the evening of December 23, 2014. Alice Kay Fowler was born in May of 1940, the much beloved daughter of the late Raymond White and Alice Klein Fowler of Waterbury, Connecticut. She was the devoted younger sister (and sister-in-law) of the late Raymond W. & Aidamae H. Fowler, Jr. of Chester, Connecticut. Auntie Alice is survived by a niece and nephew, Faith F. Brill and Jonathon W. Fowler. Ever an exceptional student, Alice studied at Saint Margaret's School and later received advanced degrees at Douglas College. While attending a Rutgers football game, she met the love of her life, Ronald B. Hanawalt. Ron is the son of the late Nelson Gilbert and Pearl (Bassett) Hanawalt who lived so happily at Glennaire outside of Charlottesville, Virginia for many years. As a daughter-in-law, Alice gained a second set of adored parents and a second sister-in-law, Barbara A. Hanawalt. With her marriage, Alice truly began the epic, bi-costal, multi-continental odyssey she was so fortunate to call her life. Alice will be sorely missed by her daughter, Heather H. (Mark A. Barnhart) and son, Bill F. Hanawalt; and by her treasured grandchildren, Erin Pearl, Beth Alison, and Rachel Kane Hanawalt, and Oliviah Gilbert, Mason Bassett, Stirling Cooper, and Avery Mary Klein Barnhart. After studying and teaching in New Jersey, Colorado, California, Pennsylvania, and Charlottesville, the Hanawalts settled in the Hardy area of Smith Mountain Lake. Alice found employment at Booker T. Washington National Monument. For twenty years, she took endless delight in sharing the history of 1860's Franklin County with countless school children and other park visitors. Alice continued to teach and to learn throughout her life. She was a founding member of the Herb Society of Southwestern Virginia, and a Master Gardner. She taught evening classes on herb gardening at Virginia Western Community College. Alice was active on the boards of two natural foods cooperatives. After retirement, she served as treasurer of her church. Another great delight of her retirement years was attending exercise classes at the Franklin County YMCA, where she enjoyed the companionship of many great friends. And then, of course, there were the travels with her beloved husband. Ron and Alice traveled extensively in the United States, visited Australia twice, and toured in Ireland, England, and France. Always, Alice returned with gifts for the grandkids and more friends than when she had embarked. In keeping with Alice's wishes, a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Her family would like to express their thanks for the invaluable assistance of care givers Mary Bowman and Cindy Hodges. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.