ALICE B. CUPPETT

Mrs. Alice B. Cuppett of New Paris died Friday, January 10, 1975 at the Church of the Brethren Home, Scalp Level. She was born August 5, 1890 in Napier Township, a daughter of the late John I. and Carrie (Beckley) Blackburn. She was married to Will Carlton (Tot) Cuppett who preceded her in death along with four daughters, two brothers, and one sister.

Surviving are these children: William Boyce, married to the former Virginia Neff, of Johnstown; Cornelia C., wife of Richard Giles, of Baldwinsville, New York; John B., married to the former Ruth Berkebile, and Sara L., wife of Robert Roy Griffith, both of Johnstown; Dean T., married to the former Alzine Straub, of Vienna, Va.; Helen J., wife of Jack Pfaff, of North Ridgeville, Ohio; and JoAnn G., wife of Allan Boyer, of New Paris. These brothers and sisters, Thomas A. Blackburn of Johnstown; Mrs. Ruth Rowser of New Paris RD; and Clark Blackburn and Mrs. Roda Bence, both of Freidens RD, also survive along with 26 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Cuppett was a member of the New Paris United Methodist Church, a member of the WCTU, and a charter member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Auxiliary.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 13, at 11 a.m. in the Mickle-Geisel Funeral Home in Schellsburg with the Rev. Ralph Landis officiating. Burial was in the Cuppett Cemetery.

Published in the Bedford County Press, Everett, PA, January 16, 1975

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Anna Alice Blackburn was known as Alice, and she grew up on her parents' farm in Rocklick Hollow in Napier Township. She completed eight grades of school and was an active member of the Rocklick United Evangelical Church.

Alice married Will Carleton Cuppett, known as Tot, on December 2, 1909 in St. John's Reformed Church parsonage in Bedford, PA. They started their family in a house on Alice's parents' farm but soon moved to a home on Tot's parents' farm. The Cuppetts moved to Dale Borough, PA around 1918 and remained there until Tot's retirement from the U.S. Postal Service in 1951.

For their retirement residence the Cuppetts bought the former Crissman Hotel in New Paris, and their seven children and numerous grandchildren visited often. Christmas dinners were a production with the men eating at the large dining table, the children seated at a large folding table, and the women eating at the dining table after everyone else was finished.

Alice was a consummate homemaker who canned and froze vegetables and fruits from the garden and the orchard and made jellies and preserves. She was skilled at sewing and made most of her 26 grandchildren a twin-size quilt. Alice was also an accomplished musician who played both the piano and organ.

After Tot died Alice remained in her New Paris home and eventually divided her time between New Paris and a home her son owned in Dale Borough. R.I.P. Grandma. -- MKeaton