Alice Sisson Yarus, 95

Alice Sisson Yarus passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 3, 2026, after 95 wonderful years.

Alice was born on Dec. 14, 1930, to Willie and Maud Sisson. She grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Being raised around this time frame, she developed an appreciation for what matters most — not possessions but the people you spend life with — and learned how to stretch a penny. Willie and Maud had two other children, their first daughter, Myrtle (toting the nickname Myrtle the Turtle for her consistent tardiness), and Ray, Alice’s adored younger brother.

She sprouted up quickly; her slender and long frame not always fitting into the clothes of the time. How happy she was to discover sewing (a lifelong hobby), she altered her clothes to better fit her on all of life's adventures. And many adventures she had biking around the countryside on her treasured secondhand black-and-white Schwinn.

Her brain grew at an even more amazing rate than her limbs. Alice always excelled in her studies. But her wisdom and knowledge encompassed far more than book smarts —  she was smart in life.

Alice was a trailblazer of her time, attending Madison College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. During her time there, she student-taught high school math. Shortly after graduation in June of 1952, she took on a job working for the National Security Agency (NSA). Few women worked for the federal government at this time. Alice earned her place and led the way for many more women. A combination of classified information and her humble nature kept her quiet about this job for decades. In recent times, she has opened up to her family about her fascinating career within the cryptology department, programming the earliest computers in code breaking.

During these years working for the NSA, she met a man named Herbert. On their first meeting, she recalled an uncharacteristic thought shooting through her brain. "I’m going to marry this man." How right she ended up being. They married in May of 1955 — hallmarked by a white pantsuit and a delayed ceremony thanks to Myrtle the Turtle. So, Sisson became Yarus. The pair had a long marriage; Herb died in 2016, just a month shy of their 61st wedding anniversary.

In her early marriage, both she and Herb worked until she had their first son Jeffrey in 1957. Alice now entered into one of the many trials and joy-filled periods of her life — motherhood. Over the next nine years, she had two more boys, William and finally, Brian. She raised the three in Alexandria, Virginia. The trio kept Alice on her toes and helped her develop her seemingly endless patience. Her sons think of her fondly. She never took the easy way out of a challenge and faced every trial with wisdom and unfailing honesty. They think of her as one of the smartest women they have had the pleasure of knowing.

Alice raised her family in the Southern Baptist faith. She lived by this faith all of her life, leading a Sunday school class into her eighties. She truly lived what she taught, living a morally upright life, extending kindness to all, and displaying many Christ-like qualities. Her faith was a constant companion through her life.

In 2007, she and her husband made the cross-country move from Virginia to Montana following the path of their two younger sons. They enjoyed many years of retirement here, blessing the lives of their family and church with their presence.

Her many grandchildren were a shining light in the latter part of her life. She treasured them not only in word but in action. She took an active role as a grandparent all through their lives. When they were young, she read to them, came up with crafty projects, baked hundreds of her famous angel biscuits for them to inhale and showered them with love. As they entered adulthood, she gave unwavering support and genuine interest, always there with a wise word of advice.

The strong foundation Alice and her husband built has since expanded into the vast and beautiful family. She is survived by three sons and their wives, Jeff (Teresa), Bill (Diane) and Brian (Amy), seven adult grandchildren and two newly born great-grandchildren. All these individuals carry pieces of her on in their own lives. Alice will be deeply missed, but her impact will continue on.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Mountain View Manor in Eureka. They went above and beyond with Alice’s care in her last year, making her feel supported and loved. And a final thank you to the Logan Health hospice team for helping Alice and our family find comfort in this time.

A private memorial will be held at a later date, and Alice’s ashes will be buried next to her husband's in Cumberland, Virginia. Friends are encouraged to visit the website buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.