Alice Toppin

Miss Alice Alonia Roberts Toppin, the daughter of the late Isadora Roberts and Vanleer Gilbert Sr., was born on October 22, 1947 in Dover Delaware. She departed her earthly home at Bay Health Hospital in Dover Delaware on June 17, 2015, while surrounded by her loving family. She was 67 years old. She received her early education from Booker T. Washington and proudly graduated from William Henry high school in 1965. After high school she attended Freemans nursing school receiving her nursing degree in 1968 and went on to have a 46 year career doing exactly what she loved, helping people. After retiring she went on to combine two passions, children and helping the less fortunate working for Matthew Smith bus company. She married James R. Toppin in 1971. Alice loved family having six children of her own and raising 18 others. She was affectionately known as our own “Black Mother Teresa”. Besides becoming everyone's mama or auntie, she was an avid member of Pride of Dover Temple #784 since 1978, holding several offices including secretary of Hattie B. Hubbard Council of Delaware, past State President Auxiliary Member, past Grand Daughter Ruler Member, past member of the Grand Ruler Circle, VFW Granger Adkins Cubbage Post 1207 Auxiliary, and proud member of Solid Rock Baptist Church where she was on the trustee board and church treasurer. Alice was also very intuitive with helping with the construction and opening of the Solid Rock Baptist Church Community and Outreach Center, which ironically had the ribbon-cutting on June 17, 2015. Our mother was a philanthropist and humanitarian who worked her whole life to do what God called her to do. Alice loved playing cards with her social club and bingo with the ladies on Wednesday nights. Her life is a true testament of God's abundant grace and awesome power despite her personal health battle she “fought the good fight, she kept the faith and finished her course”. Her exemplary life of courage, faithfulness, perseverance, generosity and abounding love is a legacy we embrace. She was preceded in death by her loving companion Willy L. Scott; brothers, Wayne A. Roberts, Mike Stevens, Vanleer Gilbert, Jr., and her best friend Lillian Harmon. She leaves to cherish her memory her six children Kimwan (Felicia), Monica (Mike), Ashley, Troy (Tranisha), Demarco, and April; siblings, Catherine Elizabeth Fountain, Verna B. Heath, Evon Gilbert-Thomas, Elaine Martin-Peck, Rosy Richardson, and Ricky Gilbert; 13 grandchildren, Tiffany, Nakeya, Tymere, Aje, Myeisha, Nyeisha, Taquan, Deja, Christian, Antayziah, J’kwan, Jaynira, Jahrya, Damiya; two special god-children, Tanya, Lovely; two special nieces, Milissa and Royzetta; a special nephew, Stephon Fountain; three good friends Ruth Diane Dabney, Elizabeth (Ms. Polly) Collins, and Mary May and a host of other relatives, friends, and her Solid Rock Baptist Church Family. All services have been entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home 717 West Division Street, Dover, De 19904. www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice Toppin, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Alice Toppin

October 22, 1947 - June 18, 2015