Alvienell West Escalante, affectionately known to her family throughout her life as “Sis,” passed away peacefully at her home in Tupelo, Mississippi, on August 27, 2026, at the age of 93. She was surrounded by the family she loved so deeply.
Alvienell was born on April 28, 1933, in Itawamba County, Mississippi, to Maggie Ann Taylor West and Andy West. Born into a sharecropping family, she learned the meaning of hard work and responsibility at an early age. As a child, she picked cotton and helped raise her younger brothers and sisters. As the oldest daughter, she earned the beloved nickname “Sis,” a name that would remain with her throughout her entire life and by which her extended family lovingly knew her.
But to her children, she was simply Mom, and to her three grandsons, she was their beloved Nanny.
There has never been a more devoted mother or grandmother. Her entire life revolved around her family. Everything she did, everything she thought about, and every decision she made was ultimately about the people she loved. She was always there—always ready to help, always by their side, and willing to do whatever was needed.
If you ever asked Alvienell what she wanted to do, her answer was almost always, “Whatever y’all want.” Those words perfectly captured her heart. Her happiness came from seeing her family happy, and her happiest moments were those when everyone was together.
She was fiercely independent, strong-willed, sharp-minded, and never afraid to tell you exactly what she thought. She had very little use for a filter, which led to many funny moments and countless stories her family will continue to tell for years to come. She knew what she wanted and, right up until the end, she did things her way.
Alvienell had a true servant’s heart. She was always taking care of someone. She would make a plate of food for someone in need, find someone who needed help, or quietly do whatever she could to make another person’s life a little easier. No one ever left her home without being offered something to eat. Feeding people was one of the many ways she showed love.
She was also wonderfully talented and loved working with her hands. She was an accomplished quilter who made beautiful quilts and lovingly gave many of them as gifts. She loved canning, making jams and jellies, and filling her freezer each year with vegetables she had put up herself. She had an amazing green thumb and took great pride in her plants and flowers. Her blue hydrangeas were especially beautiful and became one of the many things her family will forever associate with her.
She loved putting puzzles together and could spend hours at her kitchen table, looking out the window while working on a puzzle. She enjoyed going to Tunica and, of course, eating crab legs. And she dipped snuff her entire life—a little detail that, like so many others, was simply part of the woman she was and the life she lived.
Above all, Alvienell loved her family with a love that was unwavering and pure. She fought to remain with them until her very last breath. Even at the end, she was strong-willed and determined, just as she had been throughout her life.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, hard work, generosity, and devotion that will continue through the generations.
She is survived by her devoted children, Pyar Ann Wilburn (Chuck) and Andy Edward Escalante (Aly); her beloved grandsons, Curtis Brandon Brazile (Kelsey), Aidan Edward Escalante, and her “baby,” Jordan Tyler Brazile; her sister, Ozell West; brother-in-law Graham Crafton; sister-in-law Peggy West; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maggie Ann Taylor West and Andy West; her brothers, Earnest “Dick” West, Hurldon “Pet” West, Carlton “Goub” West, and Herman “Bud” West; and her sisters, Ezell Crafton and Shirley Ann Smith.
Alvienell was also blessed with special friendships that became like family. Her loved ones would like to give special recognition to Mr. Lynwood Wright, Ms. Rose Ratliff, and Ms. Mitzi, whose love and friendship meant so much to Alvienell and to her family.
Though her family will miss her beyond words, they will carry her with them—in every quilt, every garden, every family gathering, every plate of food prepared for someone in need, every puzzle, every funny story, and every moment when someone says, “Whatever y’all want.”
Her family finds comfort knowing that she spent her final moments at home, surrounded by those she loved most. She gave her family 93 years of unconditional love, and they will spend the rest of their lives carrying that love forward.
Alvienell was Mom. She was Nanny. She was Sis. She was the heart of her family. And she will be loved for generations to come.
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Mantachie Community Center. Brother Billy West and the Honorable Steve Holland will preside over the service. Following the service, Alvienell will be laid to rest at Kirkville Cemetery, in her final resting place between her beloved mother and father.
Alvienell will be cremated prior to the celebration of life.
For those wishing to send flowers, plants, or gifts, they may be sent to Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo on the Friday or Saturday preceding the service.
Honorary Pallbearers
Justin Hale, Caleb Hale, Zachary West, Brian Hale, Paulo Ramirez, and Angelo Emmanuel Azcoytia.
