Obituary of Alice Kelly (Witherspoon) Brown

Alice (Witherspoon) Brown, 88 of Utica, NY was called home on January 7, 2019, surrounded by the love of her family. 

Alice was born on December 16, 1930 in Birmingham, AL to W.S. and Minnie Witherspoon.  After being educated in Alabama / Florida, Alice and her parents: W.S. and Minnie Witherspoon later relocated to Utica, NY and opened “Spoons” restaurant on Liberty Street.  This is where Alice learned her real passion of life, “cooking”…

Alice, known especially for her BBQ Sauce (people would ask when she was making it so they could buy it)!  But it wasn’t only her BBQ Sauce, it was everything she cooked, her door was open for supper for all those who were able to bring their own fork and knife. 

Later, Alice traded her passion for cooking to a passion of taking care of children who needed a hug and a warm place to sleep.  She was known by countless people as “mom” or “grandma”, and the love she shared with all these children can be seen as they have grown up to be strong adults and they have brought their families back to establish a loving relationship with Alice. 

With that being noted, Alice has touched many lives and she leaves many to cherish her memories.  Her husband, James Brown, Sr.; daughter Shirley Williams; grandchildren:   Antonio (Malissa) Ward, Charisse Lockhart, Derrick Frazier, Tyrone Frazier, Denay Frazier, Katasha Frazier, Christian Patterson, Donald Williams, Alice Benjamin and Craig Jackson (all of Utica, NY); aunt Annie (Jimmy) Joe Voss; sisters Carrie Garrett (Buffalo, NY) and Frances May Harvey; stepchildren and adopted sons, Ulysses Brown and James Selby, special nephew, James Garrett; adopted daughter Alice Harris (Albany, NY); 44 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alice was predeceased by her parents, grandson Andre Ward and James Brown, Jr.