Alberta Applewhite

For one who enjoyed traveling the roads throughout her life, the earthly journey for Alberta "Peaches" Davis Applewhite ended on Dec. 4, 2015 in Albuquerque, NM. Life opened its doors for her on Feb. 6, 1929 in Harrah, OK, where she was born to John McHenry and Minnie Bowens Davis. Struggles for the growing family in those times included poverty, racial discrimination, and learning to live for Father God. The family relocated to Roswell, NM in the 1940s. At the age of 15, Alberta left home striking out for independence. Along the way, she married Harold Applewhite in 1948. Five children were born to the couple: Mary, Eddie, Johnny, James, and David. While Harold served in the Army, she lived in several places including New Jersey, Tacoma, WA, Oklahoma, Texas, and finally in New Mexico - her last home. It was in San Antonio, TX where as a domestic worker, she said she got saved while ironing clothes.
"The Lord told me, ‘I thought you told me you'd get saved once I gave you a husband.' "I snapped my finger and said, ‘I sure did.' She forged a strong attachment to church wherever she lived, and was known to sing well. In due course, different churches invited her to sing for special occasions. She and her sisters were blessed with beautiful voices, and didn't hesitate to raise Godly praise. She was a long-time member of St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Roswell. Alberta's passion for traveling coincided with the heyday of the Greyhound bus, which she relished. Instead of taking to the road however, her last trip in 2014 consisted of a flight to FL to visit her daughter. In working with her hands, she enjoyed collecting rocks and painting them. She also created clothes for dolls she bought at thrift stores. At one point, she took cosmetology classes to pursue work as a hair stylist. She was known as a willing person to help family members in need. She would regularly discuss her life stories, the Bible, and how to live as a Christian. To get the Word in her when younger, she said she slept with her head on the Bible. She would often say, "I love God."

Preceding Alberta in death are her niece, Darlene Brinkley Berry (Nov. 11, 2015); sons, Eddie, Johnny, and David Applewhite; husband; sisters, Corine Davis Wagoner; Vermelia Champ Black; brothers, John, Jr.; Samuel; Solomon, Paul, Elijah, Elisha Davis; and parents. She leaves to cherish her memory a beloved daughter, Mary Hamilton (Clayton) of Brandon, FL; son, James of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Michelle Hamilton Taylor (David) of Hampton, VA; Christopher Hamilton of Ruskin, FL; Milo Applewhite (Monica) of Apollo Beach, FL, Brandon Applewhite of Savannah, GA; Faness Applewhite of Tampa, FL; and David Jr. of Miami, FL; great grandchildren, Darrick, Mariah, Myla, Miles, Elijah, Chase, sisters, Joyce L. Terrell of Tulsa, OK; Rosea Lee Stevenson (Henry) of San Antonio, TX; Doris D. Walker of St. Petersburg, FL; Ann Margaret Helton of Dallas, TX; brothers, William L. Davis of Aurora, CO; and Sampson Leroy Davis of Roswell, NM; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A wake will be conducted at Ballard Funeral Home, Monday, December 7, 2015 at 2:00 pm.

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