Who is Alice from Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table and what is their importance?

Alice is the black cook from Barbados employed by Aunt Birdie, but in fact she is a member of Ruth's extended family, not merely an employee. Aunt Birdie lives alone, with Alice coming in to cook and clean for her every day, as she has since Aunt Birdie's marriage some sixty years before. Aunt Birdie and Alice cheerfully recount the story of how Aunt Birdie tried to fire Alice after the family lost all their money during the depression. Alice refused to leave, telling Aunt Birdie that she could pay her in future years, when she had the money.