Alma Roulhac

Mrs. Alma Booth, the daughter of Christopher M. Roulhac and Isabelle Wood-Roulhac, was born in 1914. Alma attended Emmanuel Episcopal Church and the private LeMoyne Institute. Alma also attended Howard University, her father’s alma mater. Alma followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a teacher at Porter School, where her students included Maxine Smith, former Secretary of the NAACP. Briefly retiring to start her family, Alma later taught at Hamilton High School, and then served as principal at the old Keel School for Crippled Children. Later, Alma received a scholarship to Columbia University where she received a M.A. degree in Special Education in 1953.

Alma inherited the family home at 810 McLemore, and Alma resided in the home until 2004. Alma currently resides in the State of Pennsylvania. Alma has furnished all the information contained in the program to help make the celebration of the Roulhac Mansion’s grand opening a success. Thank you Alma for all your hard work and support in continuing the legacy of your family home.

The Manor House of Horsham, with its old world charm and scenic backdrop of the Commonwealth Golf Course, was the perfect setting to celebrate the 100th birthday of Alma Roulhac Booth.

Booth, born on April 15, 1914, a resident of Wyncote, Pa., since 2004, moved here from Memphis, Tenn. She is the eldest child of the late Dr. Christopher M. Roulhac and Isabelle Wood Roulhac. Her brother, the late Christopher M. Roulhac Jr., was born three years later. Since selling her family home in Memphis, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, she lives happily with son Chris and his family. The home was transformed into a beautiful bed and breakfast and named in honor of her father, The Roulhac Mansion.

Booth recalls childhood memories of riding with her brother, Chris, in their father’s horse-drawn buggy to make house-calls to their father’s patients, waiting for the iceman to deliver ice, and playing in her doll house, an exact replica of her home and large enough to have tea parties with her friends. As a teenager, she enjoyed going to football games, horseback riding, attending parties and yes, riding in rumble seat cars.

After graduating from LeMoyne High School in 1931, Booth attended Howard University. In 1935, she was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. She later earned a master’s degree in special education from Columbia University.

Booth married the late Philip S. Booth Jr. The couple was blessed with two sons, Philip S. Booth III and Christopher Roulhac Booth. The family lived a charmed life of love, devotion, friendship and parenting.

Booth began her educational career, first as a teacher and later as principal, at Keel School for Handicapped Children, the first of its kind in Memphis. She subsequently became an educational consultant in the Division of Special Education before retiring as Area Supervisor of Memphis City Schools in 1979.

An advocate for social change, she served on numerous boards including the NAACP, YWCA, the Urban League and WDIA, the first U.S. radio station that was programmed entirely for African Americans. As an historian, Booth was often called upon for interviews and appeared in several publications, including Lawrence Otis Graham’s book, “Our Kind of People.”

Booth is a member of Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and served as president from 1946-1948. She is also a charter member of the Memphis Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (1946), and a charter member of the Memphis Chapter of Links, Inc., where she served as president and vice president. In 2006, at the Links, Inc. 35th National Assembly 60th anniversary held in Philadelphia, Booth received Platinum membership status for her outstanding years of service.

The distinguished centurion has traveled extensively, most often with her childhood friend, Roberta Church, niece of Mary Church Terrell. From their first trip to Hawaii to exotic and exciting places like Thailand, Capri and Northern Africa, Booth and Church left no stones unturned. They braved riding elephants in Burma and camels in Marrakesh. She cruised the oceans with her family to the Caribbean and Alaska and traveled to St. Croix and Trinidad to visit her son, Phillip.

Booth and her brother, Chris, were instrumental in establishing the Roulhac Family Association, which has grown tremendously since its inception. She has attended several family reunions from Florida to New Jersey, where Chris hosted the event at their country home in New Jersey.

This beautiful and accomplished woman attributes her longevity to the love of family including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece and nephew, and their children, as well as her many loyal and devoted friends.

She cherishes witnessing the election of President Barack Obama and having had the opportunity to meet First Lady Michelle Obama.

Booth received proclamations from Governor Tom Corbett, Commissioner Art Haywood of Cheltenham Township, Mayor A. C. Wharton of Memphis, Councilman Myron Lowry of Memphis and the Memphis Chapter of Links, Inc. There were also numerous gifts from the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., family and friends.

The party was attended by her five grandchildren: Christopher Roulhac Booth Jr., Esq. (Marisol Sosa), Anthony Booth, Traci Booth, Dr. Pamela Booth Robinson Littles of Wisconsin, and Jennifer Booth Hardy Kidd of Las Vegas; eight great-grandchildren: Alessandra Booth, Cameron Booth, Christopher Roulhac III, Erin Robinson, Summer Littles, Joshua Hardy, Christian Hardy, and Kaia Kidd; her nephew, Christopher M. Roulhac III (Marcella) and niece, Dr. Yvonne Roulhac Horton; great nephews Ronald Little of Va. Beach, Christopher M. Roulhac, IV (Katelyn McKenzie), Michael Roulhac and James Christopher Horton of N.Y. City; great nieces: Jaelyn Roulhac, Hudson Roulhac, Hunter Roulhac, Savanna-Sky Roulhac, and Sydni Somerville.

Also “Out & About” for the celebration were close friends: Maria Sosa, Maribel Sosa and Jason Hackman and their son Michael, Gail Chandler Myers, Eric and Jacqueline Patterson, Napoleon and Natalie Stephenson, Danielle Golden, Belinda Tripplet and Jessica Costa.

A special surprise call from her great-nephew, Sellus Roulhac, who is vacationing in Australia, was the icing on the cake.