Alice Lillian Hamblen Kitchen

Alice Lillian Hamblen Kitchen, age 84, of Sebring, Florida, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 in the presence of her husband, Reid, and her children.  Alice was born on Long Island, New York to Henry and Lillian Carlson.  She attended high school in Florida, where she met the dashing Thomas Michel “Mike” Hamblen.  Alice and Mike attended college together and they wed in 1960.  Mike had an entrepreneurial spirit and he and Alice never let the dust settle under their feet, with each one of their four children born in a different state.  They both had a heart for people and saw themselves as Ambassadors for Christ, hoping to share the love of Jesus with everyone they encountered along the way. Mike and Alice retired to Florida in 2016, becoming members of Maranatha Baptist Church.  Mike preceded Alice to Glory, going home to be with his beloved Lord and Savior in 2019.  It was in the spring of 2023, at Maranatha, that Alice met the sweet and charming Reid Kitchen, who had lost his wife Bev the previous year. Alice and Reid quickly became enamored with one another and wed later that year. Together Alice and Reid continued sharing the love of Jesus with everyone they encountered.

Alice had a gift of hospitality and was known for her generosity; her warm smile and sweet spirit could light up a room and always made people feel welcomed and loved. She was known for joyously opening up her home and her heart, feeding extra people, helping those in need, and showing kindness to everyone. Her love for the Lord guided her life, and she found joy in service to others.  Her selflessness shone through everything she did. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Alice cherished her family deeply and was unwavering in her love towards all her children.

Alice is survived by her Husband – Robert “Reid” Kitchen of Sebring, FL; Children – Cynthia Peterson and her husband John of Anderson, SC; Thomas M. Hamblen, Jr. and his wife Susan of Lynchburg, VA; Nathaniel Lee Hamblen and his wife Diane of Kings Park, NY;  Elta Bergold and her husband Rob of Patchogue, NY; Ron Kitchen and his wife Penny of Wixon, MI; Becky Schwartz and her husband Brian of Talkeetna, AK; eighteen Grandchildren; twenty Great-grandchildren; Brother – Hank Carlson of Smithtown, NY; many cherished nieces and nephews, along with so many whom Alice considered part of her family.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Maranatha Manor. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 4:00pm at Maranatha Baptist Church with family receiving friends at a luncheon beforehand from 1:00pm-3:30pm.  Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL 33870
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com