Alice Bonner

Lady Alice Bonner was born on September 13, 1939, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Estella Prince and Nathan Ash. At an early age, she gave her life to the Lord and later became a devoted member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

As a young woman, Lady Alice was a statuesque beauty, known for her radiant smile and inquisitive mind. She graduated from Park High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Shortly after graduation, she left the South in search of greater opportunities for employment and personal advancement.

In 1948, Lady Alice made Newark, Ohio her home, firmly establishing new roots and embracing the excitement of a new life. She worked for Boeing as a quality assurance worker, contributing to the manufacturing of aircraft—an impressive achievement and notable feat for a Black woman of her time. As women were beginning to find independence from societal norms and achieve financial security, Lady Alice represented a powerful generation of women’s empowerment. In 1963, Lady Alice met Joe Carlisle, and from that she was blessed with her only child, Michelle Antionette Saunders.

Lady Alice was a multi-talented and hardworking woman. In addition to her work at Boeing, she also worked as a cleaner and later as a floor supervisor for Goodwill. She was a phenomenal cook, with Southern cuisine as her specialty. Homemade breads, cakes, pies, casseroles, macaroni and cheese, greens, ham hocks, chitterlings, potato salad, BBQ ribs and cornbread were just a few of her signature dishes. Everything she cooked was made with love. She firmly believed in popping hands if you got into her pots and would run you right out of her kitchen—but she took great joy in watching others savor and enjoy her food.

Lady Alice loved good music and dancing. William “Bill” Latimore was her favorite dance partner, and together they could truly cut a rug. Her sister and ride-or-die companion, Brenda, was her constant road dog. The two were what they proudly called an old-fashioned “hootenanny.” They may not have started it, but Brenda would surely finish it. Fiercely protective of one another and their family, their bond was unbreakable.

Lady Alice lived out loud. She was strong-willed, independent, outspoken, and deeply devoted to her family. She embraced life fully and on her own terms.

On Friday, February 6, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving daughter Michelle and her beloved baby doll, Kacja, Lady Alice peacefully fell asleep in the Master’s arms. She now rests with the ancestors and is at peace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Estella Prince and Nathan Ash, sister Mattie Ash and husband Lewis Bonner.

Lady Alice leaves to cherish her memory her loving daughter, Michelle Antionette Saunders; her faithful sister, Brenda; her dear friend William “Bill” Latimore, all of Newark, Ohio; her granddaughters Kacja, Christain, Sheena, and Camreana; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends and extended family.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Lady Alice Bonner will begin at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home 179 Granville Street, Newark, Ohio 43055 where visitation will be held one hour prior from 1:00 – 2:00 PM Saturday.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM Monday February 16, 2026, at Newark Memorial Gardens 4244 Marion Road NE, Newark, Ohio 43055.