Alice Amelia Scarborough, 85, a longtime St. Maries, Idaho resident, passed away September 5, 2026, at Benewah Community Hospital in St. Maries.

Alice was born July 31, 1941, in Kalispell, Montana, to Albert and Alice Hoppe. When she was six years old, Alice and her family moved to the Benewah Valley, beginning a connection to the St. Maries area that would span much of her life. She attended the Benewah schoolhouse until the third grade before transferring to Heyburn Elementary. In 1952, the family moved to Tekoa, Washington, where Alice continued her education.

On October 24, 1956, Alice married Elmer Little in Rigby, Idaho. The couple made their home in St. Maries before moving to Southern Idaho in 1965. In addition to raising her family, Alice was a hardworking woman who spent many years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. She worked as a cook at the Valley Bank Restaurant and the Knotty Pine Restaurant and also worked at a resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Alice and Elmer divorced in 1967. She later married Keith Brammer in 1969, and the couple divorced in 1972. In 1987, Alice married James Scarborough, with whom she shared her life until his passing in 1998.

In 2002, Alice returned home to St. Maries, where she once again became part of the community she had known since childhood. Graydon Brown and Alice joined their lives together in 2003. She went to work at the St. Maries Elks Lodge, tending bar, but her involvement there became much more than a job. Alice was a familiar and welcoming presence at the Lodge and generously volunteered her time helping in the Elks kitchen and wherever an extra set of hands was needed. She enjoyed the people, the camaraderie, and the sense of community found within the Elks. Over the years, countless meals, gatherings, celebrations, and ordinary afternoons were made a little better by Alice's willingness to pitch in and be part of things. The friendships she made there became an important part of her life, and the Elks became one of the places where Alice truly felt at home.

Alice was also a member of the Lutheran Church and the St. Maries Eagles Auxiliary. She was happiest when keeping her hands busy and possessed many creative talents. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidery, canning, making jewelry, and creating things for those around her. She also loved to travel and treasured the experiences and memories she collected along the way. Alice will also be remembered for her baked goods, specifically her bread, and how she loved to gift people with her talent of making them.

Alice lived a life marked by hard work, independence, creativity, and service to others. From raising her family and working in restaurant kitchens to the many hours she later spent serving and volunteering at the Elks, she was never afraid to roll up her sleeves and help.

Alice is survived by her children Terry (Ilene) Little of St. Maries, ID, Carol (Chuck) Geiger of Tetonia, ID, Anna (Steve) Griffel of Swan Valley, ID, Heidi Long of Mountain View, WY, and Jaime (Matt) Chambers of Fernley, NV; brother Raymond Hoppe of Post Falls, ID; 19 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband James Scarborough, and her companion Graydon Brown, daughter Sharon Thompson, granddaughter Misty Eck, and great grandson Ryland Martin, siblings Richard Whitehead, Norman Hoppe, and Bonita Humphrey.

A Celebration of Life gathering with drinks and food will be held this Friday, September 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries.