Alma Allen DeVore

On Monday, October 8, 2018, God decided He needed another angel to enter into eternal rest. He looked down and found one of the sweetest, kindest, most soft spoken spirits He’d created and brought her home.

Mrs. Alma Solonia “Sugar Babe” Allen DeVore was born on November 22, 1936, in Greenville, South Carolina, to the late Archie and Tilla Allen. She was the youngest of three daughters born to this union.

Alma was a member of Rock Hill Baptist Church, where she accepted Jesus Christ at a young age. Her love for Jesus Christ was her guiding light throughout her life leading her to actively participate in the ministries of the church as well as teach her children to become actively involved in worship. She was associated with the Women’s Ministry, Anniversary Committee, Reedy River Oratorical Committee, and numerous other leadership roles, choirs and committees over a seventy-five year span.

Alma matriculated though primary and secondary schools in Greenville County. She graduated from Sterling High School with honors in 1954. Alma continued her education at South Carolina State University graduating with honors and earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1960. Further graduate studies were done at Furman, Winthrop and Clemson Universities.

Alma was a phenomenal cook and homemaker. She loved cooking for others and also loved teaching others the craft. Her love of teaching took her to Alston High School (Summerville), Clemson Extension Services (4H), Wade Hampton High Carolina High and Greer Middle. She retired from Greenville County Schools in 1992. Post retirement led her to JB White and Dillard’s Department stores where she worked part time in the alterations department until full retirement in 2001.

Alma’s time working in Summerville forever changed her life when she met her beloved husband of 57 years, Johnie Allen DeVore. To this union came three children. Their oldest, Pamela Maria DeVore Brown preceded her in death in 2001.

She was also preceded in death by her oldest sister, Colleen A. Brockman; and a nephew, Marion Ivan Brockman.

With sadness in their hearts and fond memories of holiday gatherings, weekend BBQ’s and laughter at Family Reunions, she leaves to cherish her gentle spirit, her husband Johnie Allen DeVore of the home; two sons, Johnie Allen (Pia) DeVore Jr., and Brian Allen DeVore, both of Greer, SC; one sister, Maurice A. Miles-Bradford of Columbia SC; a loving son-in-law, Bruce Vincent (Melissa) Brown of Greenville, SC; five granddaughters, Jasmine Marie Brown of Seattle, WA, Wesley Nicole Jeffries and Cerena Brown, both of Greenville, SC; Fairis Adia DeVore of Greer, SC and A’mya Briyan DeVore of Temecula, California; special nieces, Lisa Miles of Memphis, Tracy Allen Griffin of Greenville, SC, Sharonda Brookman Bostic of Griffin, GA; special nephews, James Brookman of Cincinnati, OH, Melvin Brookman of Greenville, SC, Byroune Miles of Bear, DL, all of whom are better because they were loved so very much by this sweet soul.

Alma can rest in eternal peace knowing that the way she lived her life, and the effect she had on all who knew and loved her, will forever remind us, that every moment of her life, with every interaction; she possessed the part of the human soul created by God, that embodies the very best of human nature. This was her daily walk, this was her testimony.