Alice came from a blue-collar family. Her father was a cabinet maker but became a handyman because of a drinking problem. This caused Alice to become somewhat withdrawn and buried herself in her books. In high school, Alice dated Tom Horton and they married shortly after she graduated in 1930.

Tom and Alice are the parents of twins, Tom Jr.and Addie, Michael (Mickey), Marie, and William (Bill) Horton. Alice is very close with her family and is often comforting them with her expert advice over a plate of her delicious doughnuts.