Alice Jean Vlassos

Alice Jean Vlassos (née Upchurch) passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida.

Alice was born on September 1, 1932, in Salina, Kansas, to Elmer and Alice Upchurch. While still quite young, her family moved to Colby, Kansas, where she was raised and attended school. She graduated from Colby High School in 1950 and went on to pursue her love of music at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, earning her degree in music in 1954.

Following college, Alice embarked on a unique and adventurous chapter of her life, working as a hostess on the BM&O Railroad. Her route ran between Chicago, Illinois, and Mobile, Alabama, with frequent stopovers in St. Louis, Missouri. It was there that she met Pete Vlassos, a chef at the crew layover hotel. The two fell in love and were married in 1957, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted until Pete’s passing in 1993.

Alice and Pete built a life centered on family, friendship, and hospitality. They spent many happy hours entertaining family and friends at their beloved lake home at the Lake of the Ozarks, creating memories that will be cherished for generations.

They were blessed with two children, Nicholas Vlassos and Marguerite Wachter (Bill). Once her children began school, Alice began a remarkable 29-year career as an elementary music teacher in the Riverview Gardens School District in St. Louis. Her passion for music extended far beyond the classroom—She also taught beginning band and choir before and after school, touching countless young lives through her dedication and enthusiasm.

In retirement, Alice fully embraced life’s simple joys. She enjoyed traveling and lunching with friends, spending time with her grandchildren, reading, and faithfully working on her crossword puzzles. She was also an active and valued member of the Senior Adult Ministries group at St. Charles United Methodist Church.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Alice Upchurch; her beloved husband, Pete Vlassos; her sister, Dixie Lee Ekberg (Robert); and her son, Nicholas Vlassos.

She is survived by her daughter, Marguerite Wachter (Bill); her grandchildren, Jessica Helus Stoltenberg (Wayne), Lindsay Vlassos McColloch (Garrett), Michael Wachter, and Haley Vlassos; and her great-grandson, Peter McColloch.

Alice was a truly strong, remarkable, and resilient woman whose kindness, love of music, and devotion to family left a lasting impact on all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Manatee Community Concert Band or First St. Charles United Methodist Church.