In a time when America was either black or white, Alyce Maxey never saw anything but vibrant colors. The youngest of nine siblings, she grew up in Henderson in a home full of love and faith, and attended a school with supportive mentors she still calls friends.
Through the years she's found the love of her life, raised a son, worked as a guidance counselor at Texas' first "recognized" African-American school and owned a dry cleaning business. Now 70 years old, this wife and mother shares her passions, and reflects on what led her to a life of community service.
Darlene Chapman |
Alyce Maxey, 70, enjoys her volunteer work at the Gregg County Historical Museum in downtown Longview.
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Helping history
Her face may look familiar. Chances are if you've visited the Gregg County Historical Museum you've seen her. She's the woman who hands you a poinsettia during Christmastime or walks you through the building to explain exhibits. She's also the woman responsible for making black history a bigger part of the museum.
"I'm a docent there, and I work on projects from time to time. I'm most proud of my project to expand the black history area here," said Alyce, a member of the Gregg County Historical Commission. "We had some things on display, but we needed more representation of blacks, I thought."
The community agreed. Alyce hosted a reception at the museum and invited people to donate pieces of their family history.
"So many people came out to donate things from their past," she said. "Now black history is an integral part of our museum."
Oh, pioneer
But this docent doesn't spend all of her time around the exhibits. Her passion involves educating youths at local schools. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very important person in history, but he shouldn't be the only black figure who children recognize, she said.
"When I was in school, we had a semester of negro history and a semester of American history," Alyce said. "It's not like that anymore, and that's sad to me. I love children and I love education, so I enjoy talking with kids about black history."
She introduces children to historical figures such as George Washington Carver, Harriet Tubman and her inspiration, Frederick Douglass.
"I really look up to him. He was a man who stood firm in his convictions," she said. "He was fearless; strictly a pioneer. I like that."
Rewarding life
Alyce also volunteers at Hope Haven Home for Women, a shelter in Longview. She works as a shadow representative to collect clothing and other necessary items for women and children at the shelter.
"The women love to see me and I love to see them," she said. "Doing things for others is really the most rewarding thing a person can do. Maybe it was my upbringing that made me this way. I had so much love and support in my life, it's like I want to share that with everybody."
