Extracted from The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Alice Elizabeth Ligon
Alice Elizabeth Ligon, 86, passed from this life on January 19, 2008, following a valiant effort to recover from heart valve surgery. Surrounded by family - and irrepressibly joyful even in her last week - she died at her daughter's home in Phoenix.
Elizabeth was the second of three daughters born to Emmett Ray and Florence Ethel (DeVinny) Feighner. She was born on December 29, 1921, in Boulder, Colorado, where her father was attending law school. As a girl, Elizabeth lived in the Colorado towns of Montrose, Telluride, and Delta before moving with her family to Phoenix in 1933. She walked across empty fields to attend Kenilworth Elementary, and graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1940.
Elizabeth met Lowrey Joe Ligon, of Globe, while she was attending Phoenix College. They were married on November 19, 1942 and moved to Globe before Elizabeth could get her degree. There, they raised their 5 children, ultimately celebrating over 65 years of marriage in the same house.
A lifelong pacifist, Elizabeth was active in the First United Presbyterian Church throughout her time in Globe and served for many years as an elder. Elizabeth went to work in the GHS cafeteria in 1962. In 1971, she left that job to return to school, attending orientation at ASU the same day as her youngest child. She graduated from ASU with a degree in elementary education at the age of 51. She immediately accepted a teaching job at the Rice School District in San Carlos and taught for 10 years before retiring. Her passions for her work and for the children were unforgettable.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by Lowrey, and by a sister, Evelyn.
She is survived by a number of people who benefitted from her unconditional love and her boundless capacity for giving. That group includes her children: Linda Ligon, of Phoenix; Marcus (and JoAnn) Ligon, of Peoria; Mary Krank, of Globe; Lee (and Mary) Ligon, of Loveland, Colorado; and Todd (and Liz) Ligon of Phoenix. She is also survived by a sister, Eloyce Sims, of Glen Allen, Virginia; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and her beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cremation has been performed and a memorial service in celebration of her life is being planned for sometime in early March. One way to be notified when details are available or to send memories is to email ligon.info@cox.net.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making donations in Globe to: the Gila Community Food Bank or the Gila County Historical Museum; or in the Phoenix area to Hospice of the Valley.
Click here to view the obituary as it appeared in print.
Sunday, January 27, 2008