A. Devor

Alice Noyes Devor went to be with the Lord November 4, 2005, in Longmont, Colorado. Her daughters, Velma Harrington and Mary Alice Dickinson, were at her side. Noyes was born January 11, 1918 in Dallas, Texas, the first child of Lorenzo Leonard and Eula Epperson. She graduated from Forest Avenue High School in 1936. By age 20, she was co-pastor with Ruth Harmon at the Free Methodist Church in Norman, Oklahoma.

During a chance visit by her cousin Jesse Cason and his Beacon Light Quartet from Central College in McPherson, Kansas, Noyes was captivated by the dark wavy hair, piercing blue eyes, and beautiful voice of the quartet's bass singer. She and Eldon Devor married in June 1939 and immediately began their ministry with the Free Methodist Church. Noyes was ordained in 1941, the same year she gave birth to Velma Jean. In 1944, Mary Alice was born, and for the next 18 years their family served churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

In 1956, at the age of 38, Noyes achieved a life-long dream, receiving her B.A. from Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma. Five years later she earned a Masters degree from the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, and in 1962, she started her 23-year career at Central College.

During her tenure at Central, Noyes served as both Drama Director and Chair of the English Department. She directed Interterm Drama for 17 years, bringing a remarkable variety of plays to the Central College stage and making lifelong friendships with many of her students. Noyes was also a charter member of the Wesley Black Fine Arts Center Committee. In 1978, she attained the crowning achievement of her academic career, earning her Ph.D. in English/Education from the University of Kansas.

Somehow, Noyes still found time to pursue many other interests and contribute to the McPherson community. Noyes and Eldon took many trips with the McPherson Gem & Mineral Club, and Noyes was also a founding member of the PenInktons Writing Group. In 1984, she and her colleague Wesley Knapp organized a literary/historical tour of England, one of the highlights of her life. Since her retirement, Noyes has lived near family in Colorado.

Noyes is survived by her daughters, Velma Harrington of Kansas City, Kansas, and Mary Alice Dickinson of Broadus, Montana; six grandchildren: Jean Livermore, Jary Livermore, and Katrina Broz, all of Kansas City, Pamela Livermore and Michael Livermore, of College Park, Maryland, and Rick Dickinson, of Longmont, Colorado; ten great-grandchildren, Benjamin Koontz and Sara Koontz, all of College Park, Maryland, Matthu Koontz of Baltimore, Maryland, Ean Broz, Samantha Broz, Isaac Broz, and Jasmine Broz, all of Kansas City, Michael Livermore and Christopher Livermore of Roseburg, Oregon, and Hallie Dickinson of Longmont, Colorado; and one great-great-granddaughter, Lily Broz of Kansas City.

Funeral services will be held at the McPherson Free Methodist Church on Thursday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Dr. A. Noyes Devor Memorial Fund at Central Christian College of Kansas. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of A. Devor please visit our Sympathy Store.