Actress Hersha Parady was best known for her role as schoolteacher Alice Garvey on the show “Little House on the Prairie.” Other notable credits include “Courage,” “Mannix” and “CBS Afternoon Playhouse.”
Parady’s son, Jonathan Peverall, started a GoFundMe on behalf of his mother, explaining that she was “battling a tough medical condition – a brain tumor known as meningioma.” Because of her condition, Peverall moved his mother from her home in Los Angeles to his home in Virginia. He started the GoFundMe to help pay for moving expenses as well as medical expenses such as “surgery to hopefully improve her condition.”
Unfortunately, her condition did not improve. On August 24, 2023, Peverall posted an update sharing the sad news that his mother had died. He wrote, “Last night at the age of 78, she left us, and is now at peace.”
Peverall described his mother as “a talented actor, but more importantly a beloved presence in many hearts – more than I had ever realized.” He added, “she was the best mother. She was also a doting grandmother, and her three grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life, will miss her dearly.”
Peverall praised his mother for her courage, “strength and resilience.” He explained, “At one point, a doctor expressed to me her surprise that she had stayed with us for this long, given her condition; I said, ‘If you knew my Mom, you wouldn’t be surprised.’”
Parady got her start in acting shortly after graduating high school in 1963 when she acted in both regional theater and at the Cleveland Play House. She ended up moving to Los Angeles where she made her on-screen debut in the TV series “Bearcats!”
In 1977, Parady was cast as Alice Garvey on “Little House on the Prairie.” She acted in 35 episodes from seasons 4 through 6.