James Edward Alexander was born Dec. 15, 1932, to the late Orlean Alexander and Effie Alexander. His peaceful rest began on the morning of Wednesday, June 30, 2021. James was raised in Pinetta, Fla., and graduated from Madison County Training School. He was a long-time member of the Church of God, where he faithfully served as a Deacon while running the race set before him. He was a man of God and deeply committed to his faith and what he believed.
He was a Veteran of the United States Army and willingly served his country from 1951 to 1953, when he received an Honorable Discharge upon his departure. On March 31, 195,3 he was joined in holy matrimony to the late Mary Edith Alexander. They shared 66 beautiful years of marriage and were blessed with six loving children. In 1995, he retired from the United States Postal Service, after working as a mail handler for 14 years. While employed for the postal service, he received an award of honors for his work ethic and professionalism.
James was a loving and giving husband, father and friend. He was deeply loved and respected by his family and often a counselor to many, with an ear and time for everyone. He was viewed as a father figure to many and loved to talk about God’s Word any day or time. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren who in his eyes, could never do wrong. They fondly called him Granddaddy and Grand-Pop-pop. One of his greatest joys was having the grandchildren come visit so he could walk them through the farm and show them his farm animals, land and what he had planted. His love for the farm life was recognized by many through the sharing of much of the fruit and vegetables he would harvest. He was known for growing some of the best okra in Madison and Pinetta.
He was a man of his word and believed in doing everything in a decent and orderly manner. While he was small in stature in his later years, he was still respected and admired for the example he set for his family and others. He held firm to his faith right up to the end with excitement of having a seat at the Lord’s table.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Edith Alexander; his father, Orlean Alexander; his mother, Effie Alexander; his son, James Edward Alexander Jr.; and a sister, Hercule (Ann) Mahoney. He leaves to cherish his memories with his children: Evangelist Everett (Van), of Newport News, Va.; Valeria Thomas (Bee), (Michael) of Green Acres, Fla.; Benjamin Alexander, of Dixon, Ill.; Sarah Alexander-Hervey (Princess) of Newport News, Va.; and Benita Alexander-Jones (Bonnie) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one nephew, Lance Coachman; two brothers, Jesse Alexander and Joseph Nix; two sisters, Mary Dobson and Bernice Moore; one sister-in-law, Mary Alexander; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home of Madison. Interment services will follow immediately afterwards in Jeslamb Cemetery. The family received friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, at Burns Funeral Home of Madison. All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Madison. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.