Trailblazing Atlanta florist and business leader Alice White Bussey passes away at 77

ATLANTA— Alice White Bussey, a pioneering florist and business leader, passed away on Sunday, March 2, at the age of 77. Alongside her husband, the late James L. Bussey II, she made history in 1962 by opening Atlanta’s first Black-owned FTD floral shop.

Together, the couple successfully ran Bussey’s Florist & Gifts Inc., which Mr. Bussey founded while he was a student at Morehouse College. The Busseys were not only committed to their craft but also dedicated to sharing their knowledge. They taught floriculture and entrepreneurship at Spelman College, inspiring future generations of business leaders, and they traveled extensively, fostering business markets across the U.S., Europe, and Africa. 

In addition to being a black business trailblazer, Mrs. Bussey also was the first black to serve as a federal representative for the U.S. Department of Labor, where she managed multimillion-dollar programs, conducted investigations, and developed initiatives to support the elderly, welfare recipients, and high school dropouts.

In 1985, she made history once again as the first woman elected president of the Atlanta Business League.

Mrs. Bussey also was the visionary for “Super Tuesday,” a celebration held in Atlanta for over 40 years highlighting women’s access to Boardrooms, Leadership and Networking opportunities.  Bussey’s Florist was the underwriter for this historic event. 

In 2006, Mrs. Bussey was recognized by The PBS HistoryMakers, a nonprofit dedicated to documenting the stories of well-known and unsung African Americans.  

Mrs. Bussey was born on July 31, 1947 in South DeKalb County, Georgia as the tenth of twelve children to the union of Oscar Eula Belle Shepard White, a homemaker, and Curtis White, Sr., a carpenter.  

Mrs. Bussey completed her B.A. degree in sociology at Los Angeles City College. Later, she completed her second B.A. degree in urban studies at Windsor College and her M.A. degree in public administration from Los Angeles City College.

A lifelong member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Ellenwood, GA, Mrs. Bussey’s ancestors were among the founders of the church, which was established in 1871.

The homegoing for Alice White-Bussey  follows below:

VIEWING

Friday, March 7, 2025

4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Poplar Springs Baptist Church

3796 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday, March 8, 2025

11 a.m.

Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church

1879 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

No repast will be held.  Alicia Bussey Lowe, daughter, requests that  donations be made in lieu of lowers:

CashApp: $ABLOWE1

Zelle: ALICIABL10@gmail.com