Mrs. Alice Lee Cannady Gaither was born November 30, 1923 in Davie County, daughter of the late Lodokus and Viola Hudson Cannady. She graduated from Davie County Training School and attended Surry Community College and Winston-Salem State University. She was a Headstart teacher for twenty-three years for YVEDDI. Alice grew up in Shiloh Baptist Church in Mocksville. After marriage, she became a member of St. John A.M.E. Zion Church, where she was a choir member and active in other ways. She volunteered with Relay for Life for sixteen years, served as president of the Davie County NAACP, and delivered Meals on Wheels for the Davie County Senior Center. As a writer of poetry and a prolific writer of black history, Alice was blessed to develop the Literary Corner , a column in the Davie County Enterprise Record. Mrs. Gaither raised eleven children of her own, but it was not unusual for her to feed the baseball team, a basketball team, or just friends who showed up around dinner time. Until a few years ago, she still enjoyed cooking enough food to feed a team. In her later years, she attended Agape Faith Church in Clemmons, NC. Mrs. Gaither was an educated woman who believed in making sure that EVERY child was literate. She was honored by being named as part of the Alice Lee Gaither and Terry S. Dunn Literacy Foundation. She worked a long time as a precinct chair for the Democratic Party of Davie County. As stated by one of her precinct members, 'The legacy of this woman will long be remembered in Davie County. Her untiring work for justice, education and equality will be long remembered.' Along with her husband, Thomas Anderson Gaither, she was one of the first African American business owners in Davie County. Together they operated Gaithers Grocery Store on Depot Street in Mocksville. She was the first African American candidate for the Davie County Board of Education. Along with Mrs. Dorothea Wilson, Mrs. Gaither began the Miss Dark and Lovely Pageant in Mocksville. The pageant provided educational scholarships. Mrs. Gaither was the oldest member of the civic club, Le Jour des Femme, a community organization which provided educational scholarships. In addition to her husband, Thomas Anderson Gaither, and her siblings, Mrs. Gaither was preceded in death by six children, Melvin A. Gaither, Algeon B. Gaither, Carol L. Gaither, Michael J. Gaither, Gloria Jean Gaither, and Stephanie Kaye Gaither. On Monday, July 30, 2018, she transitioned into eternity at her residence in Mocksville. She is survived by four sons, Thomas (Shelvy) Gaither of Winston-Salem, Reginald Gaither of Mocksville, Victor (Clarrissa) Gaither of Hampton,Virginia, Pastor Julian (Dr. Krishauna) Gaither of Winston-Salem, three daughters, Doris Jimmerson of Mocksville, Deborah Ellis of Mocksville, and Thomasine Gaither of Mocksville, seventeen grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, thirteen great-great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get Wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to: Alice C. Gaither/Terry s. Dunn Literacy Fund Davie Community Foundation P.O. Box 546 Mocksville, NC 27028 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alice Lee Cannady Gaither please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery NC, Visitation AUG 4. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT) Agape Faith Church 2101 Lewisville Clemmons Rd.Clemmons, NC Service AUG 4. 2:00 PM (EDT) Agape Faith Church 2101 Lewisville Clemmons Rd.Clemmons, NC