Alice I. Charity

Alice I. Charity was born on January 25, 1925 in Alexandria, Virginia to Rozier and Maggie Charity. She departed this earthly life peacefully on July 9, 2012 at the Alexandria INOVA Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.

Irene was educated in the Alexandria Public School System. She graduated from Parker-Gray High School in 1943. She was employed by the Woodbine Nursing Home, the Black History Museum, and the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority.

Irene was saved at an early age and joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia in 1933. She was a working disciple of the church. She was a founding member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church’s Junior Choir. She was also a member and served as Secretary (until her health declined) of the Second Choir which is now the Sanctuary Choir.

Under the guidance of their brother, Harry Charity, she and two of her sisters, Elsie and Marjorie, performed full concerts in many churches throughout the City of Alexandria and the Washington Metropolitan area as “The Charity Sisters”. Irene was the Tenor in the group. The Charity Sisters were known for their sweet acapella style of singing of spirituals and gospel favorites. They even included dramatic presentations in their concerts. At family gatherings, they would be our entertainment and would draw other family members to join in and sing with them. To this day, Irene and her sisters are credited for the singing talents of many of their nieces and nephews who still love to imitate them. During her musical career, Irene sang with many groups under the direction of Joseph Lucas and the late Jacqueline Green.

Irene loved entertaining and hosting her family. She also loved to cook. She shared a lot of stories at special family gatherings. She was a great storyteller. The love of her life was her daughter, Terry. Terry blessed her with the birth of her grand-daughter, Shannon. Shannon blessed her with the birth of her great-grandson, Jayden. Her devoted companion, Donald Vincent, was always there when she needed him.

Irene loved dolls. There is one doll, in particular, who she really acknowledged as being her daughter. The doll, which she named “Renee”, is 55 years old. She was also an excellent artist in arts and crafts. Many of us hold in our possessions her works of a crocheted bag, clothespin dolls, Tulip flowers, flower arrangements, tissue holder boxes, personalized tote bags, knitted hats and scarves, just to name a few. She even decorated the ladies’ restroom in the main church sanctuary with her arts and crafts. She was a true Washington Redskins fan!

Irene leaves to celebrate and to cherish her memory her daughter, Terry Akins (Bubby); her grand-daughter Shannon (Richard); her great-great grandson, Jayden; two sisters, Elsie Taylor Jordan and Marjorie Burts (Albert); one brother, William Charity; one sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Charity; her devoted companion, Donald Vincent; her lifelong girlfriend, Pattie Patrick; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Dorothy and Christine and her brothers Joseph, Harry, Wesley, and George.

Friends are invited to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 909 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia (map/directions), on Friday, July 13, 2012 for the viewing at 10 a.m. continuing until time of service at 12 noon. The interment will immediately follow in Mt. Comfort Cemetery, Alexandria, VA (map/directions). Arrangements by Phillip Bell Sr. and Winona Morrissette-Johnson, P.A.

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