The lives of Wyla Jean Eason LaVie and Alfred Roderick "Al" LaVie Jr. form a remarkable tapestry woven with threads of deep family bonds, a celebrated broadcasting career, and a enduring partnership. Their story, spanning from the small towns of North Carolina and Pennsylvania to the nation's capital and the Maryland coast, is one of dedication, love, and community.

Early Lives and Diverse Beginnings

Wyla Jean Eason was born on August 17, 1934, in the Parnell House on Old Princeton Road in Wilson County, North Carolina, weighing 7.2 pounds. She was the oldest child of Grover and Myrtle Stancil Eason. Her birth was attended by Dr. A. P. Strickland, with her maternal grandmother present. After graduating from high school in 1952, Jean began her career working for the phone company.

Alfred Roderick LaVie Jr. was born on November 28, 1925, in Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, the only child of Emily and Alfred Roderick LaVie Sr. His upbringing in Plymouth, surrounded by many cousins, instilled a strong sense of family. Al's heritage was a rich blend: his mother's family was German/Polish, his father, though born in Cuba, grew up on a cattle ranch there, and his paternal grandmother was Spanish, with his paternal grandfather being French. The surname "LaVie" fittingly translates to "the life" in French. From an early age, Al had a soft spot for animals, with early pets including a Rat Terrier named Tippy and a parrot named Polly.

Al graduated from Plymouth High School. Despite having no vision in his left eye, he eventually joined the U.S. Army, serving 2 ½ years as a dental assistant and discharged as a Sergeant. Following his military service, he attended Scranton University, a Catholic and Jesuit institution in Pennsylvania, where he earned a civil engineering degree. However, his true interest lay in broadcasting, leading him to study at the School of Radio and Television Broadcasting in New York City.

A Wilson Romance and a New Beginning

Al launched his broadcasting career at a TV station in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. It was there he saw an advertisement for a radio job at WVOT ("Wilson's Voice of Tobacco") in Wilson, North Carolina, seeking a disc jockey, newscaster, and sports reporter for their AM station. Al applied and was hired.

It was in Wilson that Al met Wyla Jean Eason. Jean, still working for the phone company, often visited the radio station with her friend. Their "whirlwind romance" began on Tuesday, September 4, 1956, when Al invited Jean to a movie, and she accepted. Soon after, Al met Jean's parents, Myrtle and Grover, and was introduced to her widowed maternal grandmother, Eva Ann Mercer Stancil, in Johnston County. Granny Eva's approval was important to Jean, and a strong bond formed between Al and Eva. Their engagement quickly followed, and a wedding date was set.

On January 6, 1957, Al and Jean made history as the first couple to be married in the new brick Winstead Methodist Church in Wilson, North Carolina.

Jean's bridal party included her maid of honor and best friend, Dorothy Barnes (a neighbor), who wore a beautiful purple dress to match Jean's chosen wedding colors of purple and pink. Bridesmaids included her younger sister, Carol, then only 11, and her first cousin, Martha Stancil, 15. They wore tea-length dresses of antique pink taffeta with purple sashes, complemented by matching headbands of braided pink and purple, lovingly crafted by Jean for the special day. Jean's mother, Myrtle, wore a slate blue ensemble chosen by her sister-in-law, Lilly Eason Massery. Jean's bouquet was composed of white roses and carnations with an orchid at the center, which she later wore on her going-away outfit, while her attendants carried America Beauty roses.

After their honeymoon in Miami, Jean and Al settled into a new brick home on Grove Street in Wilson. Their life together quickly included their first pet, a Chihuahua named Chico. Over the years, their home became a haven for animals, a testament to Al's deep love for them. They rescued Sheila, a Collie/German Shepherd mix, and received Prince, a Mountain Shepherd, from Jean's uncle, G.I. Stancil. Muffin, a lovable mutt, and Tonka, a beautiful Irish Setter, followed. Al even ventured into horses, with St. Martin, an Appaloosa, being his first, and Maggie his last. He accepted numerous strays and pets his children could no longer keep, including Lady, a wild rabbit named Bun Bun, an entertaining ferret named Pinkie, and countless cats, among them Baby, Shadow, Tigger, Beardsley, and Precious.

Career in Broadcasting and a Growing Family

Al's versatile talents at WVOT in Wilson, where he served as a DJ, newscaster, and sports reporter, quickly became evident. He enjoyed announcing local ball games and was an avid sports fan, following football, baseball, basketball, and boxing, with a particular fondness for the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Orioles. While in Wilson, their first child, Sharon "Shari" Jean LaVie, was born in 1958.

Recognized for his perfect radio voice and delivery, Al's career advanced rapidly. He was hired by WPTF in Raleigh, North Carolina, and then by WSKY in Asheville, where he served as news director and announcer. Al and Jean built a home in Asheville, and it was there that their second daughter, Kimberly Dawn LaVie (born 1960), and their first son, Alfred Roderick LaVie III (born 1961), were born.

In the early 1960s, Mutual Broadcasting System recognized Al's talent and offered him a position, prompting the family's move to Silver Spring, Maryland. Al's career continued to flourish, leading to a move to Bethesda, Maryland, where he was based out of Washington, D.C.

They built another new home in Bethesda, where Al showcased his carpentry skills by finishing the basement, adding a laundry room, workroom, storage room, and a large family room. Their youngest child, Karen Jane LaVie, was born in 1965.

Al's career reached its pinnacle as News Director and Bureau Chief for Mutual Broadcasting System, a position he held for 17 years. In this role, he covered numerous historical events, including John Glenn’s groundbreaking orbital space flights, other Mercury Astronaut space shots, national presidential conventions, inaugurations, state funerals, and the assassinations of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also covered presidential daughters' weddings and parades for heroes. Al was known for his "heart-grabbing" description of President John F. Kennedy's casket being carried from the Capitol Rotunda. He was also instrumental in giving broadcasting opportunities to talented newsmen, notably hiring Nicholas "Gene" Valentino as a network newsman during the "Watergate" era.

Outside of his demanding career, Al and Jean fostered family memories. They purchased a 17-foot Prowler camper trailer, which they parked for several years at Ole Mink Farm Campground in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. This campground, near Cunningham Falls State Park (a favorite swimming spot), became a hub for family camping trips, where their children were encouraged to bring friends, creating many lasting memories. Eventually, they sold the camper and began frequenting the beach at Ocean City, which became a favorite destination. Vacation days were also cherished, spent visiting Grandma and Grandpa Eason in Wilson, North Carolina, and Nana and Papa LaVie in Plymouth, Pennsylvania.

Al and Jean were regular attendees at Stancil gatherings and reunions.

Retirement and Community Engagement

In October 1978, Al retired from Mutual Broadcasting System, and the family moved to St. Martin's Neck in Bishopville, Maryland. However, Al's love for broadcasting soon drew him out of retirement when he found an opportunity to announce the news and make commercials for a local station, 100KHI.

During this period, Jean embarked on a very successful entrepreneurial venture, starting a homemade pie business, selling her delicious creations to area restaurants. She became affectionately known as the "Pie Lady."

Al was a dedicated and active member of St. Mary Star-of-the-Sea parish, serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Following in his father's footsteps, he was active in the Knights of Columbus. He was also a proud member of the Elks, the Eagles, and American Legion Post #166. Al further shared his insights and opinions through editorials in Oceana Magazine and feature articles for The Breeze, and his commentaries on WKHI were well-received, even when not universally agreed upon. He cultivated many friendships, including with judges and mayors.

On May 5, 2017, Al received a special honor in Ocean City, Maryland, with a "hero's flag" bearing his image flown on the boardwalk until October 2017, in recognition of his Army service and personal contributions to his country. This tribute was a complete surprise to both Al and Jean.

Al was never one to boast about his many accomplishments. He was remembered as an unforgettable individual whose friendliness, intellect, and genuine interest in others shone through every conversation. He left a part of himself with everyone he met.

Alfred Roderick LaVie Jr. passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2017, at the age of 91, in Bishopville, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean, their son Alfred III, and their three daughters, Sharon LaVie Nelson, Kimberly LaVie Roberts (Carl), and Karen LaVie Luciano (Alex).

Al lived to see two great-great-grandchildren, Peyton Jean Kitching and Hayden Charles Kitching.

The lives of Al and Jean LaVie represent a testament to an enduring partnership, a remarkable career, and a loving family that continues their legacy across generations.