Alice Ann Harris

Alice Ann Harris, 80, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina, following a sudden onset of cancer. Born on March 10, 1946, to Martin and Marie Koch, Alice lived a life defined by faith, service, adventure, and an unwavering love for the people around her.

Throughout her life, Alice called several places home, including Newcastle, Nebraska; Cedar Rapids and Hawarden, Iowa; Mesa, Arizona; and, most recently, Columbia, South Carolina. Wherever life took her, she made friends, built connections, and left an impression on the people fortunate enough to know her. Her many homes and experiences reflected her adventurous and spontaneous spirit, and she embraced each chapter of her life with enthusiasm and an open heart.

Throughout her life, Alice wore many hats and touched countless lives through her work and service to others. She worked at Quaker Oats, K Products, and Wells Blue Bunny, and later dedicated herself to caring for others as an EMT, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Licensed Practical Nurse. Her compassion extended far beyond her professional life. She fostered special-needs adults and children, provided home wound care and home health care, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need.

Alice's faith was at the center of her life. She had a deep and enduring relationship with God and was an active and devoted member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church. She served others through the church's soup kitchen and regularly made sandwiches for those less fortunate. She also spent countless hours making rosaries to give to others—a beautiful reflection of her faith and her desire to share God's love with everyone she encountered.

Those who knew Alice will remember her as spontaneous, fun, loving, generous, and full of life. She had a wonderful sense of adventure and loved to travel, quilt, play cards and board games, and, most of all, spend time with her family and friends. She was also famously competitive when it came to games. A friendly card game with Alice could quickly become a very serious matter—and she certainly intended to win.

Alice never seemed to need a special occasion to make a memory. She embraced life, enjoyed the moment, and brought energy and laughter wherever she went. Her kindness was genuine, her generosity seemingly endless, and her love for her family was unmistakable. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel cared for, and the world was simply a little brighter with Alice in it.

Alice is survived by her two children, Tina (Bruce) Smit and Benjamin (Nichole) Case; her four grandchildren, Alex Case, Tyler Case, Brandon (Nicole) Smit, and Brandi (Joshua) Fulton-Smit; and her two great-grandchildren, Bryce and Brooklyn Smit. She is also survived by her siblings, Mary LeClair and George Koch, along with many extended family members and friends who were blessed to know and love her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Marie Koch; her brother, Jerry Koch; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Koch; and her son-in-law, Bruce Smit.

Alice leaves behind more than memories. She leaves behind the countless people she helped, the lives she touched, the rosaries she lovingly made, the meals she served, the laughter she shared, and the love she gave so freely.

Her faith carried her throughout her life, and we find comfort knowing that she is now at peace with God. While her family and friends will miss her deeply, they will carry her spirit forward by continuing to love generously, serve others, enjoy life's adventures, and perhaps—most importantly—never take a card game too lightly.

Alice lived a life of faith, compassion, laughter, and love. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A Catholic Funeral Mass and reception to celebrate and honor Alice’s life is set for October 10, 2026 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia, South Carolina. The service will also be livestreamed on Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church to the “Sandwich Ministry” and/or the “Rosary Makers”, which were both very dear to Alice’s heart.

Address: Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.olhcolumbia.org