Alice Donovan: Our Final Goodbye

[Delilah]

On Saturday, November 14, 2009, the 7th year anniversary of her abduction and murder, Alice Donovan will finally be able to rest.

Her family, friends, and the public who came to know her will release her earthly spirit to the heavens.

Alice, may you now find peace.

[John Quinn]

Thank you Delilah for posting this for our Angie !! While Alice has been home on the other side for quite awhile now..It is good her remains will finaly be put to rest so her family can find peace and comfort.The heavy weight upon Angie's shoulders is finally lifted !GOD bless you Angie..and your family.Your mother is right by your side and always has been.She is certainly smileing and happy for you. With Much LOVE...ALWAYS....john

[jerdonna]

Angie im so glad that you have peace,now in your heart!Its difficult to bear the loss of one so dear, but may it help a bit to know that caring thoughts are near,and may all your special memories be a comfort to you too,and keep the one you loved so much still very close to you,God-bless!!!

[Delilah]

Donovan laid to rest at last

Angie Warner Gilchrist won't forget that her mother, Alice Donovan, was raped and murdered and left in the woods seven years ago Saturday.

She won't forget that it took almost that long to find and identify her mother's remains.

She won't forget that she, her stepfather and sister were awash in panic when Donovan didn't show up at home or work after a day of shopping, or that they began a frantic search before law enforcement officials stepped in.




She won't forget sitting in court for weeks hearing testimony describing how the two men who murdered her mother snatched her from a Wal-Mart parking lot.

She won't forget the seven years of searching and the days of getting hopes raised and dashed at every report of recovered bones.

She won't forget. But tomorrow finally - finally - her family can begin the never-ending process of moving beyond a crime that has held them captive since 2002, a crime that stretched and broke family bonds and led to too much drinking, drugging and crying.

"To be able to have her funeral finally is comforting to me, but at the same time I am scared," Gilchrist said. "I am finally going to be able say goodbye to her after all these years and I am not sure how to take it all in."

She's not sure how to take it all in because one of the men, Chadrick Fulks, who took her mother away, was the one who gave her back. From his cell on federal death row, he responded in a letter to questions from The Sun News and provided a map and his best recollection of where Donovan's remains were. That led to more letters and details shared between Fulks and a professional search group, which finally led to Donovan.

"I am not sure if grateful is the word," Gilchrist said. "He should have done this seven years ago. My feelings on him are still very torn and confusing. I intend to make peace with him after my mother's funeral is over and I have absorbed all of that. I want to forgive him and be able to look at his face or hear his name and not want to vomit, but it is so hard. I don't want to feel that way, but I do."

But Saturday, on the seventh anniversary of her mother's kidnapping, at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway, Gilchrist's focus won't be on Fulks or his co-conspirator. It will be on giving her mother a proper resting place.

"I want people to know that there is hope in finding your loved one who may be lost, missing or murdered," Gilchrist said

Contact ISSAC BAILEY at 626-0357 or [e-mail]. He's the author of "Proud. Black. Southern."

[Delilah]

Issac Bailey played a pivotal part in bringing Alice Donovan home again.

It was he who wrote a huge, front page story about the case, and it was Issac who first wrote to Chadrick Fulks and received an answer. The rest is history.

Issac Bailey was the catalyst that brought everything and everyone together.

All in God's timing, which is perfect!

[marianne asher-chapman]

Amen.

[Maureen]

Issac is a true hero in giving back a family their loved one. Angie I just have this feeling that this is going to be a beautiful celebration so surrounded by your Mom's love and her family's love for her. Somehow I think starting tomorrow peace will surround you.

Maureen

[mary,gainey]

i,want to cry for this family so bad,why can,t they fry theses men dont .keep waiting, they didnt give allice ,d time to call home or say merry christmas to her children or husband and look at all the fun the grandma. wont have with grandchildren .mary

[Sara/Peace4 Co-Founder]

We love you, beautiful daughters of Alice...who will always hold a piece of our hearts...xoxoxoxo

[Christine Crandle]

I wish I could be there in person today. Prayers for a peace that passes all understanding.....

[Denise mom to 'Charles Horvath']

RIP dear 'Alice'
Thinking and praying for Alice and her loving daughters Angie + Jen and all their family today.
With you every step of the way.
Denise