Alice Ann Mercer

Alice Ann Mercer died Sunday a week ago at the age of 87. She was born on May 1, 1937, the youngest child of Lillian Faun Markland and Kendall Markland. Alice had brothers Dale, Joe, Keith and Benjamin, all of whom preceded her in death. She had two sisters Waneca and Carol, who also preceded her in death. For most of Alice’s younger life, she took care of her mother until she married her first husband, Jim Whitcomb.  

The world is not as nice a place with her gone and I have lost a boone companion of 55 years. We were wed on March 6, 1970 and the family began. She brought with her two children from a failed marriage, as did I. Alice’s two were Jimmy and Kim Whitcomb and mine were Robert and Raelene Mercer. Together through the next four year while we lived in Hawaii, we had two more, James and Bonnie Mercer. Our almost 30 years of Air Force life took us to Hawaii, Germany, England, Kansas, Alabama, and Albuquerque. We lived a life we dreamed, traveling the world and taking in all we could.  

About Alice Ann: besides the all-important task of raising exceptional children, Alice was committed to exceptional deeds whenever they presented themselves. When working at Paramount Supreme, she never let a window go unwashed; when working at Smith’s she became the Office Manager. As the wife of an Air Force officer she was elected Vice President of the USAF Wives Club at RAF Mildenhall. She also was awarded the prestigious “Yard of the Month” award every time she was eligible. Later, while working at Dillard’s she was honored as top salesperson in the southwest region by Wacoal. In 1990 she started a 22-year run as the owner of Alphabet Junction, a day care center in Albuquerque with about 100 students. With Bonnie and Kim by her side she was able to provide loving care to the little ones.  

Later in life, she took great pleasure in watching our nine grandchildren grow, and even later the development of her eight precious great grandchildren. Meanwhile, she was overjoyed with the rapid rise in popularity of her son James. His music business, known as “The Shins,” continues and has thus far netted him 4 gold records and one platinum record with frequent appearances on the “Tonight Show” and other late shows. And Bonnie developed as a top drawer teacher and wife of the UnderSheriff of Bernalillo County, Aaron Williamson. Our Robert has had a wonderful success story at Starbucks and is now a senior executive there in Seattle; Raelene has a booming art business in Miami Beach. Kim’s experience at Alphabet Junction led to her position as Principal of a popular private school in the Northeast Heights. 

But most of all, we remember Alice Darling for her cheerfulness and her kindness. She never received a gift without making sure the giver knew this was a most important gift. Her phone conversations were upbeat, always smiling and joking. Lastly, we can’t forget she loved to gamble—video poker was her game, and she was very, very good at it. As a final joke on all of us, she saved $10,000 from her gambling winnings and hid $100 bills throughout the house for her kids to enjoy after she was gone. And that’s Alice! Fun, happy, cheerful, and welcoming. She loved and laughed a lot. I wish she were here.

Services will be held Monday, December 9, 2024, 10:00AM, Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.  She will be interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery, date and time is forthcoming.