Alice Rebecca Biscoe Bonds, 68, Valley Lee

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Alice Rebecca Biscoe Bonds, 68, of Valley Lee died Nov. 18, 2009, at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Born April 14, 1941, in Leonardtown, she was the oldest of the four children of the late George Washington Biscoe and the late Maggie Genieve Lawrence Biscoe.

She was raised in Valley Lee and graduated from George Washington Carver High School. She went on to attend nursing school at St. Mary's Tech Center in Leonardtown.

On Oct. 19, 1961, she married Joseph David Bonds. She was a wonderful mother of five children, Kevin Wayne, Novella Marvette, Regina Carlette, David Ignatius and Alicia Tyrene. She made her living as a switchboard operator at Harry Lundeberg Seamanship School in Piney Point. Later she held various other positions. When her health would no longer allow her to work, she spent her time taking care of her husband, her mother and grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Mark's UAME Church in Valley Lee. She held various offices in the church such as choir member, assistant church secretary, church steward and Sunday school superintendent to name a few. Most recently, she was named the "Mother of the Church." She was also the secretary of the local Sisterhood of St. Marks. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and truly desired to be an example of God's love in all that she did and especially in how she treated others.

Also known as "Bootsie," she loved and adored every one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved being around children and quickly became mom or grandma to any child who walked into her life. She enjoyed cooking and hosting get-togethers and looked forward to any opportunity to spend time with family. She loved spending time on the computer and forwarding e-mails that she found inspiring, uplifting or helpful. She loved computer games, and especially "Wheel of Fortune" and her Connect Four handheld game. She collected figurines and any picture of her children or grandchildren was a welcome gift and a household decoration.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Anita Carlette Biscoe.

In addition to her husband of 48 years, Joseph Bonds, she is survived by her children, Kevin Biscoe and his wife, Charmissa of Stephens City, Va., Novella Anderson and her husband, Mark of Clinton, Regina Bonds and her husband, Bernard, David Bonds and Alicia Bonds and her husband, Francis, all of Lexington Park; grandchildren, Robert, Tasha, Tyrell, Bernard Jr., Ayesha, Idris, Javonté, Thaddeus, Tynichia, Shanté, Delanté, Nia and Antonio; great-grandchildren, Amani and Amaya; sister, the Rev. Phyllis Biscoe; brother, George and his wife, Rose Biscoe of Lexington Park; and many nieces, nephews, godchildren and other relatives.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until time of service at noon Nov. 23 at St. Mark's UAME Church, Valley Lee. The Rev. Dr. Rudy Brooks will officiate. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown.