A GREAT READ:
Grace upon Grace over 105 Years
The parishioners of St. Peter Catholic Church in Farmington were able to celebrate a life that spanned over 105 years – a life that experienced tremendous changes in our nation and West Virginia history and significant life lessons she shared with her family, friends, and acquaintances met along the way.
Her name may not be in a history book or ever make headlines outside of her small town in WV, but Alice Rock Priester is a life of grace worth honoring.
Alice Rock Priester, passed away at the age of 105 years, on June 25, 2025.
She was buried on the June 28, the eve of the Feast of St. Peter the patron of her parish, the rock of the Catholic Church, and her steadfast faith.
In John 1:16 we read, “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Alice lived her life as inexhaustible as God’s graces, and He energized her soul. She was more than the “sweet old lady” older than the Farmington church itself, which began in 1921. She had a storied life that deserves to be honored and appreciated.
Alice Rock Priester was born on Almond Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1920. She was the second child of Andrew and Mary Rock. The family moved to four states before West Virginia where her father found work in the coal mine in 1924. Her mother was a loving housewife who tended to 5 children and taught them many skills to last lifelong. Cooking, housekeeping, planting, and pickling, as well as respect for all living things. They also tended two cows (Daisy and Pansy) numerous chickens, ducks, and the watchdogs of the property – geese.
Growing up Alice had numerous pets which fostered her lifelong love of dogs. Alice attended Farmington High School, and although she didn’t graduate, she obtained a GED and later attended Fairmont State University.
Alice noted that she did not graduate high school because she accepted a job with the co-owners of Hartley’s Department Store, J.H. “Jack” and Elizabeth Rownd, as a domestic (nanny and maid) at their home “Summerfield” on the crown of Hillcrest in Fairmont.
She became an extension of their family, accompanying them on trips across the southwest, New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, and Washington D.C.
During this time Arthurdale, WV was being developed by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt as a homestead project during the Great Depression. It was a way to create communities to relocate families from struggling industrial areas to a rural, self-sustaining community. It was the first of about 100 homestead communities the federal government planned and built.
Alice traveled to Arthurdale several times with the Rownd family and was privileged to speak with the wife of President Franclin D. Roosevelt on a couple of occasions. Arthurdale, which is in Preston County, is recognized today as a national Historic District.
While with the Rownds, she also had the privilege and experience working with Charles White, a respected employee of the Rownds, who had also been a former slave from South Carolina. She learned from White, who proudly shared his Gullah Geechee heritage and his Gullah language, traditions, and stories.
Alice Rock stayed with the Rownds for 10 years, who guided her purchase of a brand new 1949 Cream Buick Roadmaster convertible, which she said made few in Farmington jealous. She was 29.
Alice had known Paul Daniel “P.D.” Priester all her life. Soon after her settling into her new life independent of the Rownds, Priester started courting her. They married a year later on June 14, 1950, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in their hometown of Farmington.
Alice and P.D. Priester “setup housekeeping in the #9 community” (now Rachel, WV, between Farmington and Mannigton) Alice was greatly involved in the push to obtain “city” water to the area. She worked 40-hours a week job at the Farmington company store. The couple had a son, Fred Rock Priester.
Not only did she continue working, and raising her son, but Alice also changed her career and became employed by Fairmont State University in the cafeteria, working for Frank Pulice.
She loved working there, and she especially loved the students and football players, who became lifelong friends and admirers.
Alice was proud to be a lifelong member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Farmington.
She served on numerous committees over the decades. Her character, faith, and work ethic earned her great respect, which was evident in in 2020 when more than 300 people attended her 100th birthday Mass and social.
Alice also was on the first committee to raise funds to build the new Farmington Community Building and was very proud of the results.
Alice is survived by her son Fred-Rock Priester of Farmington. Stepson Richard Daniel Priester and nephew Richard (Maria)Priester, all of Norfolk VA.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Daniel Priester, sisters Anna Rock of the #9 community, Mary Rock Marquez of Alhambra CA, Katy Rock Reeves of Norfolk VA, and a brother Fred Rock of Rachel (#9 community).
Her fellow parishioners, family, and friends thank those who keep her in their hearts and who made time to call her on the phone (she loved to talk on the phone) such as Linda and Mickey Abruzzino, Betty Jo and George Tippner and Meredith and Rudy Banick.
The family would like to thank the staff and management of Fazio’s Eldercare for their devoted and professional care for Alice. It is also important to recognize the pallbearers – Andrew Opyoke, K.C. Jones, George Tippner, Bill Glasscock, Rich Priester, and Fred-Rock Priester. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Priester Sr. and Stephen “Cicso” Priester.
The life of Alice Rock Priestly was celebrated at her funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Saturday, June 28.
Alice was buried next to the love of her life Paul Daniel Priester and beside her Mother Mary and brother Fred at Mt. Carmel cemetery in Fairmont West Virginia.
