Mary Alice Moss, age 82, of Carbondale, Illinois passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale with family and friends at her side. Mary Alice was born in Golconda, Illinois, on August 25, 1939 to Raymond and Mary Louise Davis. She spent her childhood in Golconda and graduated from Pope County High School in 1957. She went on to attend Southern Illinois University, participating in the Saluki Marching Band. She graduated from SIU in 1961 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and a Master’s in Elementary Education in 1969. She married Lt. Don Richard Moss (US Coast Guard) on her birthday in 1961 and they had two children, Greg and Eric. They shared 19 wonderful years together before Don’s sudden passing in 1980. She had a long and accomplished career as a public school music educator for 43 years. She spent the majority of her teaching years in the Murphysboro Community Unit School District #186, retiring in 2007. During that time, she shared her passion for music with hundreds upon hundreds of students, many of whom continued their friendships with Mary Alice well into their adulthood. For many years, she opened her home to students of all ages to teach music lessons of various instruments; often in preparation for the Gold Cup Festival. Mary Alice traveled the world, and loved every chance to do so and with whoever was up for a challenge. She spoke often and fondly of her many excursions, including the numerous trips to the World’s Fair, Europe, Russia, China, Alaska, Hawaii, and of course, the many cruises over the years. She enjoyed sending Christmas cards showcasing her experiences…holding a Panda Bear, dog-sledding, swimming with dolphins, and climbing the Great Wall, to name just a few. She was also an avid sports fan, especially when it came to basketball. She delighted in the fact that she was the queen of winning the NCAA March Madness pool among her colleagues and coaching buddies at school. Her students and colleagues not only revered her as a teacher, but as a mentor, friend, and most importantly, a kind and loving woman who accepted everyone with a huge heart. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her much-loved parents and husband. She leaves to cherish and miss her deeply, her beloved sons Greg and Eric, partner-in-crime Mary Luh Fraunfelter, family friend Lori James-Gross, along with many, many dear friends. The family requests with gratitude that in lieu of flowers memorials contributions be directed to the American Lung Association, St. Jude’s or one’s charity of choice. In continued support of the efforts to mitigate COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.