Alice Wayman Tingler

Alice Tingler – wife, mother, teacher and friend of noble character -- is with Jesus

Alice Tingler was a woman of strong, abiding faith, a graceful wife, loving mother, and kindhearted friend. On June 19, 2019 in the moments after a rare South Florida Tornado Warning that preceded a powerful storm, she went peacefully into eternity with Jesus, her dear savior and friend. She was surrounded by her family and lifted up on the prayers of all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Chet, two sons, Brion (wife Kimberly), Jim (wife Livia), and six grandchildren (Nolan, Kyla, Joel, Elliana, Krista and Jude).  While her family rejoices that she is free from the bonds of this world, she will be sorely missed by them and the countless members of the church, school and civic communities her life touched.

Alice was born January 21, 1948 in Emporia, Kansas to George and Esther Wayman. She grew up on a farm outside the small town of Admire, Kansas (“blink once and you miss it!” she was fond of saying). She and her sister Mary shared many heartwarming stories of that rural life with “daddy and mom”, which she always remembered fondly. And like many young girls of her place and time, she wanted more. So she studied hard – graduating at the top of her local high school class – and when the time came, went off to college at Kansas State University. After graduation in 1970, she set off again; this time, for a cross-country drive with girlfriend Jene to the big city of Miami, Florida (it was sunny and they were hiring!) to teach in the public schools.  Upon arrival into town, she met a handsome, mechanically-inclined sailor named Chet.  After a courtship that involved some dancing dates and hair-raising adventures out on the water, the two were married in 1972.

She worked extremely hard as a teacher and administrator in South Florida, with 35 years of service (and 275 unused sick days!) when she “retired” in 2005. The reality is that Alice never really stopped working or serving others, whether it was her post-teaching, half-time hustle in South Florida real estate during the run up to and aftermath of the Great Recession, backstopping Jim and Livia in their foster parenting adventures or her dedication later to the Blooming Smiles ministry that works with local florists to collect, arrange and then give away unsold flowers to the sick and lonely – often with a compassionate Bible verse attached -- in local hospitals.

Defining characteristics of Alice’s life and personality were energy, kindness and faithfulness. She could linger in conversation with a stranger, she was always generous with her friends, and graciously forgiving of those who hurt her. As she grew older and wiser, she grew bolder in sharing her hope in Jesus and her belief in His transforming, saving grace. She was also brave and tough. 25 years before #MeToo, she successfully brought a sexual harassment case against the principal of one of schools where she worked. Even though it limited her later career advancement, she believed it was the right thing to do and knew it would protect others.

Alice had a faithful, happy and fruitful marriage to her “MacGyver”, Chet. She bore two healthy and energetic sons and raised them together with Chet in a cozy home on a lovely and lively street in suburban Boca Raton. As the mother of two sons, she had the patience of a saint, and though she endured times of heartache with both, she faithfully pressed on in prayer for them at every stage of their lives.

Alice and Chet believed in exposing their sons to as much of the world as possible, and supported them in many different sports and interests, including triathlon, swimming, surfing, extreme inline skating, windsurfing, baseball, basketball, church youth groups, fishing, rowing, scouting, canoeing and a love of the outdoors. She herself loved travel (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, Italy, Austria, Cuba, Bermuda,  Sonoma California and an ill-fated visit to Crete were just a few of the places she made it to) snow skiing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, scuba, swimming and going to the beach with her grandkids. Even in the midst of a 5 year long battle with cancer, she went to the gym and encouraged her workout partners to lift more weight.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 29 at Above and Beyond Church (7500 E Country Club Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33487), her spiritual home for the last 25 years. A public visitation will occur between 10:00 and 11:00 AM and a joyous service in remembrance of her life will begin at 11:00 AM. Lunch, fellowship and more sharing in remembrance will follow on the grounds of the church. Childcare will be available.

Flowers for the celebration will be provided by Blooming Smiles. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting this organization, whose gifts of beauty and compassion lift the spirits of the lonely, sick and hurting (https://bloomingsmiles.org) or First Care Women’s Clinic, which Alice supported and volunteered for over many years (https://firstcareforlife.com/).

Proverbs 31:10-31

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