Alma Ruth Frederic Montgomery

Alma Ruth Frederic Montgomery was born, the third of five children, to Azemar and Modesta Frederic on February 8, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tragedy struck the Frederic children early, as Alma and her siblings lost both parents when she was only seven years old. The five young ones remained together in the care of their maternal grandmother and guardian, Alma Ruth Riley. 

Mrs. Riley saw something special in her namesake and encouraged Alma in the pursuit of the two passions that would remain with her throughout adulthood—music and sewing. As a child, Alma envisioned herself as a pianist. Using a cardboard image of a piano keyboard, she memorized the positions of the piano notes. Mrs. Riley found a used 60-key piano and negotiated with a local music teacher to provide lessons for her child. Alma’s dedication and diligence earned her the opportunity to accompany the choir at Joseph S. Clark High School and the choir at Saint James AME Church. Because of her musical talent and academic achievement as class valedictorian, Alma was awarded a music scholarship to Xavier University of New Orleans. 

Alma learned to sew for practical reasons. The family was of meager financial means, so buying new dresses for three girls was not easy. Alma implored Mrs. Riley to teach her to sew so she could make her own dresses. She sewed for herself and her sisters and earned money by sewing for women in the neighborhood. 

Tragedy again struck the family when Mrs. Riley died in a fire while Alma was in her third year at Xavier. Alma and her younger sister, Brenda, suddenly found themselves homeless. The stress caused Alma to leave Xavier, and she and Brenda went to live with their brother, who was stationed with the Air Force near Blytheville, Arkansas. 

While living in Arkansas, Alma met and married a young career sailor named Kirk Baylor. Their travels would take them to Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia. Alma and her baby, Desiree, lived with Kirk’s parents in Charles Town, West Virginia, while Kirk was at sea. It was in West Virginia that Alma completed her college degree, earning a bachelor’s degree in education from Shepherd College. 

Alma began her full-time teaching career in Norfolk, Virginia, at a time when the government of the Commonwealth struggled against federally mandated school desegregation. The school systems began to integrate student populations but kept faculties segregated. When the Commonwealth finally acceded to faculty integration, Alma, now a mother of two, with the birth of Kirk Jr, volunteered to be among the first to move and was assigned, along with one other African American teacher, to the previously all-white Roberts Park Elementary School. Alma taught school in Norfolk/Virginia Beach for fifteen years before moving to Northern Virginia in the late nineteen seventies. 

Shortly after relocating to Northern Virginia, the marriage ended. Alma joined the Fairfax County Public School System, teaching third and fourth grades. Her penchant for encouraging students to become involved in civic matters led to her being featured in the Washington Post for having her class write letters to President Bush expressing their desires for the country. 

Alma’s search for a church home led her to First Baptist Church of Vienna, drawn by the welcome, the preaching, and the music. The music of the church revived her passion for playing the piano, so she volunteered to support the Senior Choir as accompanist and was accepted as a permanent member of the music staff, playing both piano and organ. Along with playing for the Senior Choir, Alma organized and led the Women’s Day Choir for several years. In addition to playing piano and organ, Alma also sang with the FBCV Choral Ensemble, the Senior Choir, and the Voices of Praise. 

Alma’s position as choir accompanist led to a life-altering event. One Thursday at Senior Choir rehearsal, she caught the eye of a new member of the bass section—LtCol John L Montgomery. A few weeks after John joined the choir, the two had their first dinner date at 219 King Street, Alexandria, a restaurant specializing in New Orleans cuisine. That was the beginning of an enduring love story centered on church, music, family, travel, and devotion to one another. The two became one word—“johnandalma”—on June 23, 1990. 

Together, Alma and John led the FBCV Men’s Choir and participated in other music venues, including the Northern Virginia Baptist Association Choir, the Men and Women of the Gospel Choir, and the Vienna Choral Society. They would often blend their voices to form the perfect duet. Traveling was full of adventure for Alma and John, whether by car, train, boat, or airplane. They loved the sun and sand of the Caribbean, sharing adventures in island hopping, snorkeling, and parasailing. Alma was an avid tennis player and fan. A highlight of her fandom was when the two traveled to New York to experience the US Open Tennis Championship. 

When Alma retired from teaching, she immediately pursued her other passion—sewing. Designs For You was the business name she chose for producing women’s attire and wedding ensembles. Several brides at First Baptist have worn Alma’s designs. She also contributed to FBCV drama and music productions with costumes and accessories. Whether it was a dress for a wedding, prom, graduation, or job interview, she pursued each project with a sense of purpose and perfection. 

Alma Ruth Frederic Montgomery’s life was well lived. Her memory is cherished by her husband, John; daughter, Desiree Berry (Nicholas); son, E Kirk Baylor (Jane); two bonus sons, Kirk Chandler Curry (Debbie) and John Montgomery (Penny); and two bonus daughters, Beth Montgomery-Grant (Richard) and G Marlene Davis (Tara). She is also missed by fourteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and her dearest friend, Iona V Boyd.