Alicia Inez Rollins-Lopez

Alicia Inez Rollins was born on March 29, 1957 to Billy and Emily Rollins at the former Women’s Medical College Hospital of Pennsylvania. Graced with her mother’s middle name and paternal grandmother‘s first name, Alicia Inez was the always interesting “middle child” of an active, North Philly family.

Attending Philadelphia public schools during her elementary years, Alicia challenged the traditional educational system with a learning style unique to herself. She excelled in activities requiring intense attention to detail and uninterrupted, independent pacing; a trait that she cultivated throughout her life. “Luddie” as she was called by her siblings, never met a crossword puzzle, a crocheting project or an intricate hairstyle that she couldn’t double down on and master when everyone else had long since thrown in the towel. Alicia especially thrived in this element during her years of family and community activities growing up in Tioga-Nicetown.

Learning to play a musical instrument was a staple requirement in the Rollins household. Alicia learned piano, moved on to clarinet and eventually became a skilled oboist. She was a strong swimmer and enthusiastic bowler with an active church and social life, rooted at Nativity Lutheran on 17th St. People knew Alicia wherever she went in the neighborhood… always on foot, with a passion for her 4-legged friends and complete disinterest in learning to drive.

Alicia attended middle and high school in the Washington DC area, where she lived with her grandparents for those pivotal years. While in DC, she spent time expanding her crafts game with her Aunt Doris, who also excelled at handiworks. After graduating from Northwestern in Hyattsville, Maryland and then completing a 2-year beauty school program, Alicia returned to Philly, secured a license in cosmetology and pursued interests as a seamstress and crafts artist.

In 1986, Alicia gave birth to her son, Emmanuel. The two became an inseparable fixture of their extended home and community families. Alicia and Emmanuel are synonymously regarded with Emily Rollins - Alicia’s mother - as the hearts and souls of Bridgeway, Inc. and its fifty years of community outreach. Preceding Alicia to heaven; her parents, her DC family, her brother Pierre, and her beloved son Emmanuel Hill Rollins. Remembering Alicia today and especially her unique personality and warm, supportive attitude towards others are many friends, neighbors and community members, her sisters Nicki, Mignon and bec, and her beloved brother Mark and their families, and the many cousins, nieces and nephews Alicia loved and encouraged along the way. She also leaves godson Michael Blount and closest friend and confidant, Wakeel Morrison

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