Obituaries

Our loving mom, Alice Mae Shay of Garden City, MI, passed peacefully of natural causes into the arms of Jesus on October 25, 2024 at Beaumont Hospital, in Royal Oak, Michigan, at the age of 83. She was born November 11, 1940 in Frenchburg, KY, the fifth child of Wilford & Ola Burchett. She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Robert Lee Shay, and they settled in South-East Michigan, though Kentucky always held a very special place in her heart.

In addition to her parents, Alice is preceded in death by her husband Bob Shay; brothers Jolly, Gary, Arnie and John Paul Burchett; sisters Delores Cooley and Betty Kay Jacobs; and her precious grandson Bryan Bates. She is survived by her five daughters: Robin Shay of Garden City, MI, Paula Hinckley (Scott) of Tyler, TX, Lisa Price (Paul) of Garden City, MI, Karen Cole (John) of Westland, MI, Diane Smith (Patrick) of Frankston, TX; three grandchildren: Justin Bates (husband to AnaLisa and son of daughter Paula), Robbie Price, and Christopher Smith; siblings Danny Allen Burchett, Bertie Bond, David Burchett, Doug Burchett (Sandy), Peggy Hall (Jim), sister-in-law Mary Wells and many dear nieces and nephews.

Bob & Alice celebrated 61 wonderful years of marriage before Bob's passing in April of 2021. She (and Bob) attended and enjoyed their Parkview Baptist Church family in Livonia, MI. Alice loved life and dabbled in so many things that brought joy to herself and those around her. She adored cooking for her family and company, playing cards, ceramics, sewing, keeping a spotless home, meticulously tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, road trips and most definitely shopping! Regardless of where she and Bob lived, she always knew every neighbor on the street. Her greatest joy was being with her family, and nothing excited her more than a trip to Kentucky or when Kentucky family came to visit her.

Alice always worked hard at helping to support their family of 7. Directly out of high school she attended and graduated from cosmetology school where she became a licensed hairdresser. She loved her many years working in the salon. She later set up shop in their home where she cut, colored and permed hair for just about anyone that asked. Even at 83 years old, you would find her weekly (no joke!) with a mirror and shears in hand, touching up her own hair to perfection. She later spent many years working in a tuxedo/uniform shop as a seamstress, monitoring the high school cafeteria at lunch time and then began her own cleaning business. During retirement she and Bob spent several years delivering vehicles across the country for Corporate Fleet Services. They had the time of their lives! She definitely left a legacy of what it means to be a hard worker.

A memorial service for Alice will be held at Johnson First Church of God in Morehead, KY, on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 12:30pm with a celebration time of fellowship to follow. Please join us! Mom sure did love a Kentucky party! The burial will take place the next morning at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Morehead, KY.