June 21, 1930 – June 27, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for Alice Royals, 81, of Church Hill, who died Monday, June 27, 2011, at her residence, will be at 2 p.m. today at Church Hill United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Wake service will be until service time today at the church.

Mrs. Royals was born June 21, 1930, in Silver Creek, the daughter of Grover Langston and Otie Mae Thurman Langston.

Mrs. Royals was a member of Arm Baptist Church, in Arm, and attended Church Hill United Methodist Church. She married Robert H. Royals in 1949, and they settled in Church Hill in 1959. Over the years they created a beautiful homestead for themselves, their children and future generations. She retired from the Jefferson County Health Department after 25 years of dedicated service. She was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed a number of years as a member of the Cypress Grove Hunting Club.

She also loved spending time with friends at Rodney Lake, as well as a number of weekend get-togethers at the home of Leroy and Pearl Blair, also known as the Hungry Onion, dancing to the latest 45s.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved collecting cookbooks and recipes.

The family extends a special thanks to Carrie Ozan for the love and kindness shown their mother over the past seven months. She is an angel. Also thanks to Mark Newman, her hospice nurse, who showed Ms. Alice great compassion in her final days. Thanks to the Church Hill community for years of love, friendship and support, especially to her friends, Frances Manoley, Virginia Patterson, Delia Ann Guedon, Mary Ed Guedon and Steve Robertson. We can only say we love you all and are blessed to be a part of the Church Hill family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two grandchildren, Robert Gabriel Long and Riana Carole Flynn.

Survivors include two daughters, Janis Carol Royals and Linda Royals Flynn and husband, Stuart, all of Church Hill; two grandchildren, Owyn M. Long and Adam John Flynn and wife, Amanda, all of New Orleans; and one great-granddaughter, Olyvia Riana Fonseca of New Orleans.

Pallbearers will be Owyn M. Long, Adam John Flynn, Drew Thompson, Joseph Guedon, Joey Carroll and Gary Blackwell.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Manoley, Bob Guedon, Mike Guedon, Eddie Kilpatrick, Stuart Flynn and Rodney Burkley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Church Hill United Methodist Church or Christ Episcopal Church.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.