Alice was the 2nd child of 11 born to Beulah Viola (Rutledge) Goodman 

and Bihue Goodman between 1907 and 1927.  At the time of her birth 

in 1909, she joined sister, Dollie (Goodman) Tillman, who had been born 

in 1907. See a picture of Alice and Dollie.

Six of Alice's siblings were born during her short time on earth: Lucille,

Everett, Margaret, Eunice, Leslie and Miriam....3 after she died: Gladys,

Joyce and Willis.



As best as we can determine, Alice developed hookworm disease as a 

small child, which was common in the rural southeast during that time.  

While we believe she received treatment for the disease, she also 

suffered from epilepsy. There is some information which suggests that 

hookworm disease can cause encephalitis, and that can cause epilepsy.  

We do not know the chain of events for sure, but on August 28, 1917, 

at the age of 8, Alice was admitted to Florida State Hospital for

the Insane in  Chattahoochee (now known as Florida State Hospital). 

She died there  at the age of 12 in 1921, and was buried in one of the 

cemeteries  on hospital grounds. The hospital records and death certificate, 

which were obtained several months ago, give her cause of death as an 

epileptic seizure.  Those same records provide the "supposed cause of 

insanity" as meningitis.  



Several of Alice’s nephews and nieces were interested in the possibility 

of re-interring Alice’s remains from Florida State Hospital to Green Pond 

Cemetery.  We made initial inquiries, but decided not to pursue that plan 

given the passage of time since her death (87 years), burial practices 

at the time, and the condition and maintenance of the portion of the 

cemetery where we believe she is buried.  Instead, we opted to place a 

memorial headstone for Alice at Green Pond Cemetery, alongside her 

brother, Willis, and her parents, Bihue and Viola.

That headstone was put in place last week at Green Pond, and photos of 

it are now posted on Cousin James Mixson’s web site, along with part of 

Alice’s story. To view, go to Alice's Headstone.



We share the story with you so that, as the headstone says, Alice is gone but 

not forgotten.

  

With minor editing, this is Alice's story as told by cousin Lois (Sherrouse)

Murphy. Lois' mother, Joyce, and my mother, Gladys, were "bosom buddy" 

sisters as they grew up together...2 years apart in age. Sadly, they never

knew Alice.



james 17 November 2008