Alice Josephine Story of Ridgeland, Mississippi, formerly of Marianna passed away Sunday, August 23, 2021.
Former Chipola College instructor, Jo Story, died on August 23, 2021. She was ninety-five. Alice Josephine Story was born on July 3, 1926, in DeArmanville, Alabama, unto Joseph Benjamin Story, Jr., and his wife, Lucille Bonner Story. The family moved frequently during the Great Depression, eventually settling in Melbourne, where Miss Story graduated from high school. She excelled both academically and athletically, participated in several sports, lettering in basketball. She was an Honor Cadet in the Cadet Corp. After her graduation, Ms. Story attended the Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) in Tallahassee, Florida. She was a member of the academic honor societies Alpha Alpha Delta, Kappa Delta Phi, and Phi Kappa Phi. She played college volleyball and graduated cum laude. She then earned a Master’s Degree from Florida State. She began her career at Mesonja Junior High School in Orlando, Florida, where she taught math and physical education. She then taught math and coached basketball at Chapman High School in Apalachicola, Florida. Her first season the team lost one game. The next season it was undefeated. In 1955, Miss Story moved to Marianna, Florida, where she became a Professor of Mathematics at Chipola Junior College (now Chipola College). At Chipola, she served for a time as Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and was a valuable role model to young women pursuing degrees in those areas. She was a member of the Marianna Business and Professional Women’s Association and became president of that organization. She was a member and later president of the Phi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, another organization focused on promoting women’s education and professional development. An active member of the First United Methodist Church of Marianna, she was in the Lula Rawls Service Guild. She retired from Chipola in 1986 and was honored for her contributions by a Resolution of the Board, describing her as both an accomplished educator and a gracious lady. After her retirement, Miss Story enjoyed spending more time at the beach in Panama City, Florida, and traveling with friends. Miss Story was an avid reader and an accomplished bridge player. She was an ardent Noles fan. In her final years, Miss Story moved to Ridgeland, Mississippi, to be closer to her loved ones. When she passed from this life, she was laid to rest at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Marianna, Florida. Miss Story will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her community and the students she helped to educate in her long life of service. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joseph B. Story, III. She is survived by her honorary nephew, David Ringer, and his family. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Marianna, Florida.
James & Sikes Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.
