Alice "Allyne" McGilvra

Alice McGilvra ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations - La Grange on Mar. 9, 2026.Alice "Allyne" was born in Allison, AL on October 15, 1931, to William Wheaton and Mary Alice Hayes King. She was the third of four daughters in that union. She was raised in a blended family with her mother having had two children and her father having four children by prior marriages. Unfortunately, she didn't get to know her father well since he passed early in her life in 1937 from pneumonia. After his death, the family divided and moved to Eutaw, AL.Her fond childhood memories include, walking the railroad tracks and playing in the local river. Her favorite pastime was going to the local theater, which at the time cost ten cents. Though, due to her height, her child rate quickly increased to the adult fee of a quarter. Her mother, Mary Alice, managed a local cafe where she would work and earned the movie fare, allowing her to enjoy her favorite activity. Later, she worked in the cafe across the street.In 1950, one of her cafe patrons suggested a blind date with Walter McGilvra, a pipeline foreman from Texas who was working in the area. The relationship was soon placed on hold when his job took him away. Allyne then moved to her sister's home in Columbus, OH. After locating her in Ohio, Walter proposed and the happy couple wed on February 23, 1952, at the Justice of the Peace in Picayune, MS where her aunt and uncle lived. As the wife of a pipeliner, she soon found herself tasked with finding living quarters for them with each required move. When their first child reached school age, they decided to embark on Walter's life-long dream of owning a dairy farm. In 1959, they bought a tract of land in Winedale, TX, which began the next chapter of their lives. On the farm, Allyne quickly mastered milking, being a veterinarian, bookkeeper, and a farm hand.The couple decided to relocate to La Grange in 2002 when Walter's health declined. Walter passed at the age of 88 after 50 years of marriage in October that same year. Allyne was lovingly cared for by her daughter Kim and son-in-law Dean the remainder of her life.Allyne was baptized with both her girls on October 29, 1961, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, TX where she remained a member until her passing. She was active in her church and the Mothers' Club during her daughters' school years. Having a heart of gold, Allyne was always ready to help friends and neighbors, and never met a stranger, often describing herself as a 'people person' and loved helping others. She loved to read, especially about history, watching her favorite tv programs, and never lost her love of 'going to the movies'. She also enjoyed traveling, often using her favorite tour companies to schedule trips. Sunday was her favorite day of the week. After attending church, she loved to stop for lunch in Brenham, and then off to the movies.As we bid farewell to Alice Allyne McGlivra, we celebrate a life well-lived, full of love, dedication, and selflessness. Her spirit will remain with us, inspiring us to live with the same grace and compassion she demonstrated every day.She has two daughters, Brenda Kay Mulkey (Douglas) of Sequin and Kim Niesner (Dean) of La Grange. She has one granddaughter Autumn Denise of Tenn. She also has one grandson John Mulkey of New Braunfels, along with great grandchildren, Heather, Sharla, and Maigen and their families, two nephews, Terry Tullos and Tim (Letha) Tullos of Lufkin, TX. She is survived by her sister, Dora King Moring Grafton of Eufaula, AL along with numerous nieces and nephews and other loving family and friends. Special friends include, Ora Lee Leiven, Carmine, Marie Haskins, Lufkin, Jesse Kokemore, Bellville, Donna Petrich, Round Top, and the Max Bathe & Elmo Klatt families.She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, half-sister Frances 'Tass' Merrrill Puskas, half-brother Benjamin 'Bud' Merrill, step-sisters Louise and Fannie Mary, step-brothers Joe King, and William 'Billy' King, sisters, Onie Sue King Williams Scott, Mildred King Long Quinn,sisters-in-law, Buna McGilvra (inf) and Lillie Tullos, and brother-in-law Isam McGilvra. One granddaughter Veronique Mulkey Kalantarian.A visitation will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations of La Grange.Funeral services will be held at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Terry Tullos, Tim Tullos, TJ Stokes, Randy Zinglemann, Joe Haskins, and Alfred Petrich, Jr.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl, LaGrange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com .To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.