Alice E. Speer

Alice Ella (Mooers) Speer was born December 6, 1926, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Howard and Lillian (Higginbotham) Mooers. She was the third child in a family of three boys and four girls. In the spring of 1942, at the age of 15, she met Carl Speer at a roller rink in Woodbine. Carl was in the U.S. Navy stationed at Cape May, NJ. They both loved to skate and dancing on skates was their specialty. When Alice and Carl began dating, they spent much of their time at her family home with her mother and siblings. Carl had been raised to believe dancing was a sin, so Alice’s family corrupted him and taught him to dance and play cards. They were quite the team and could really cut a rug.

On December 26, 1942, Carl and Alice eloped in Elkton, Maryland, with her mother’s permission. They were married for nearly 66 years when Carl passed away from Parkinson’s on December 6, 2008.

During WW II, Alice served in a volunteer unit as a “plane spotter”. It was her job to watch for planes and report the planes they saw, as they never knew for sure if an enemy plane would come near the coast. The lookout was manned 24/7. Her job was vital to the safety along the Atlantic shoreline.

Alice and Carl were blessed with four children. Bob, from Florida. Julia (Chesnut), with her husband Don, from Des Moines. Gary, with his wife Bobbi, from Des Moines. And Don, with his wife Sue, from Davenport.

From their children, Alice and Carl have nine grandchildren along with four step-grandchildren. They lost count some time ago of the number of great-grandchildren. It was up to 17 when Carl passed away but the total has continued to grow. She was also survived by two sisters; and one brother. Family has always been number one in their lives and remained so for Alice until her passing as shown from all the family photos she would not part with.

Alice and Carl were avid boaters and campers. The family was always doing things together. Ice skating, roller skating, swimming, water skiing, snowmobiling, and more. Indoors, dancing and playing cards were the normal entertainment for a Saturday night. Life was full and so much fun.

Alice joined Carl on April 22, 2019, where we have to believe they will roller skate throughout eternity. We see them now, laughing and loving each other as they always did. She will be missed by all of us, but she’s where she belongs now. Back in Dad’s arms.

Until we meet again… Your Loving Family

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