BRITO, Alice J. (1956-2022)

BRITO

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/1/2022 at 17:54:43

Alice Jean Brito
(August 15, 1956 - April 20, 2022)

Celebration of Life Services for Alice Jean Brito, 65, of Indianola, IA, who passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at home, will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022 at the Indianola Grace Evangelical Free Church.
Alice was born in Hobbs, NM in 1956. She was the 6th of 7 children. The family returned to Iowa shortly after her birth. She attended school in Indianola and graduated in 1974. Shortly after graduation, she joined the Ringling Bros Circus and worked with the elephants for approximately 10 years. She experienced many adventures during that time and saw a lot of the United States and even overseas. After receiving an injury to her lung in an accident with the elephants, she returned to Indianola.
She remained there for several years, working in the cafeteria for the schools, among other places. She often said she was a Jane of all trades, master of none. She moved to Arizona where one of her brothers lived. She married while there and remained for several years. After her marriage failed, she returned to Indianola. She again worked at various jobs including Assistant Manager at the Dollar General. When her health worsened, she retired and concentrated her time doing whatever she could for others.
She became very active in her beloved church, Grace Evangelical. She and a friend co-founded a food pantry sponsored by the church, which became the GEF Foundation. Alice was president of that foundation. She was involved and lead projects for many other volunteer organizations, Relay for Life, Necessity Pantry, Warren Co Historical Society, Heal House, and Meals on Wheels.
Alice had many interests outside the church also. She enjoyed auctions, garage sales, flea markets, concerts and an occasional visit to the casino. She like crafting and made jewelry which she sold and gave away. She had a large collection of anything involving elephants. Alice also loved animals. She lost her precious dog and companion, Angel, a few months before her death.
Alice couldn’t have children, so she doted on her 16 nieces and nephews. She had a special relationship with several of them. She is also survived by her siblings, Pamela (Karl) Bachof, Cathi (Bing) Hagen, Melody (Greg) Allsup, Bob (Brenda) Cooper and Roger (Teri) Cooper. She was preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Betty Cooper and brother Raymond Cooper Jr.
Alice had various medical problems, but rarely slowed down. She devoted her life to God, her church, and helping people any way she could. She will be sorely missed by many. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to G.E.F. Food Pantry or Grace Evangelical Free Church. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/