The news that Mrs. Alice Ford Mock died Sunday, Oct. 18, while walking along Providence Road was the first thing I saw upon turning my cell phone on after visiting a friend who had just received the news that her daughter had died.

My message came from her step-son, Lee Lee Clay Mock of South Carolina, saying please call me, Ms. Alice has been hit and killed on Providence Road.

The death of our aunt, best friend and the last living sibling of our mother — Mrs. Leveltus (Neni) Ford Carter — took us totally by surprise. It was not expected, and we were not prepared for the news we received.

Bigger-than-life people such as Alice seem so invulnerable, yet her death drove home that old truth that there is absolute democracy in death. It plays no favorites, never discriminates.

Day by day we realize more and more that nothing really matters in this world except the love of God and the love we receive from others and the love we give in return.

Today, we give thanks to our friends, family, extended family, classmates and members of Providence Baptist Church for all the love and support we have received while traveling through this sad time in our lives, and we will always remember that God sends His mercy and His grace and hope for tomorrow.

To Mr. Ken Bateaste of Bateaste Memorial Funeral Home, your professional service, kindness and willingness to work with our family cannot be measured. We truly appreciate all the big and small things you and your staff assisted our family with. We pray a special blessing for you and your staff.

Joyce Lewis

family of Alice Ford Mock