Alicia Michelle Kiser, 36, of Nitro, departed this life on July 10, 2020, due to complications of Spina Bifida.

"Wheels", as she was known by many, never backed down from a challenge. She took pride in being a "Spina Bifida" and never let it hold her back and she was an inspiration to others with the same "label."

Alicia participated in tee-ball, playing for the Challengers, and served as an Ambassador for The March of Dimes. She started attending the week-long Mountaineer Spina Bifida Camp at age seven and continued thru college age.

She raced Soapbox Derby, Special Division in Kanawha County, at Little Creek Park, and won first place in WV. She went on to win fourth place in the Nationals in Saginaw , MI.

For several years, Alicia attended Telephone Pioneers Sports Jamboree and competed against guests from across the U.S. and Canada. Her game was wheelchair basketball. As captain of her team, defeat was never an option.

She loved parades and rode the Dunbar route with Mayor Frank Leone. Alicia could be seen in South Charleston parades with the Derby car she raced. At Dunbar JHS she became a "band geek" and was in most every parade. At SCHS, she could be seen around "the valley" and the state at parades and festivals. On one occasion, no bands were coming to the Dunbar parade, so Alicia gathered a few band friends and provided a "motley crew" to walk the route and play for the crowd. The crowd loved them and they made Dunbar proud.

Alicia went to Marshall University to study music and to march in The Marching Thunder. That year, 2002, The Herd played in the GMAC Bowl game in Mobile AL. It was there that she achieved a first for our country, and likely the world, as the first wheelchair band member to perform on the field at a Bowl Game, as reported by the newspaper. Alicia led the way for inclusion.

During a near death year, confined to a hospital bed and hooked to machines, she decided to pursue a degree in Psychology to help victims of domestic violence. Alicia was working on her Masters Degree at the time of her death.

Her last sports endeavor was Sled Hockey played at the Ice Arena in South Charleston.

Alicia was an avid collector of various things in her life. Her largest and most valued collection was her friends….and she loved them…..every one.

She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Herbert and Bernice Kiser of Charleston; and maternal grandparents, Harry and Betty Neal of Summersville.

Alicia leaves behind her father, Carlos Kiser of Nitro; mother, Sheryl Kiser of Summersville; and her brothers, Jason Kiser, wife Lauren and their son, Ross of Raleigh NC, and Joshua Kiser of South Charleston.

A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar with Rev Frank Goff officiating. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 16, in Kiser Cemetery, Jackson County with Jerry Comer officiating.

Friends may visit two hours prior to the service on Thursday, July 15, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.