Anne Alexander

Anne S. Alexander, age 88 passed away at Cypress Village in Jacksonville, FL on Monday, August 9, 2021. A memorial service will be held at Cypress Village; the time and date will be announced once COVID restrictions are lifted.

Anne was born in Atlanta and was the second child of Otis L. Swords and Mary Dodgen Swords of Decatur, GA. Anne was preceded in death by her older brother Otis Swords Jr., affectionately known as “Bubba”.

Anne and Dave Alexander first met as college students in 1949 in Lexington, KY while attending a freshman orientation picnic at Transylvania University. She caught the love in Dave’s eyes and on August 16, 1952, they were married at the First Christian Church in Decatur, GA by Dave’s father the Reverend Raymond L. Alexander and her brother, the Reverend Otis L. Swords, Jr. Had she lived one more week, they would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.

Anne majored in music and church service, earned an AB degree from Transylvania University and was a life-long member of Delta, Delta, Delta sorority. Anne was recognized as a gifted musician who was accomplished in both piano and organ and instructed in accordion. Throughout her career, Anne taught kindergarten, elementary school and was a devoted Sunday school teacher and Cub Scout den mother.

Anne and Dave were marriage partners for nearly 69 years, plus three years of courtship during college, and partners in a ministry that touched many lives and served many congregations over many years. The minister and wife partnership first took hold at a student church, Pond Christian Church, during college and seminary. From there they were called to First Christian Church in Jacksonville, NC, followed by First Christian Church in Wilmington, NC and then Gordon Street Christian Church in Kinston, NC. Finally, they landed back in Anne’s home state of GA where Dave accepted a call to serve as Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Georgia. Anne was devoted to Dave and devoted to each of the churches that they served. When accompanying him to innumerable churches over the years she would simply ask on the way to the car “Where are we going this Sunday Dave”? They retired to Lexington, KY in 1998 where Anne continued her life of service by volunteering weekly for 10 years with Helping Hands, an Alzheimer’s day care center.

Above all, Anne was a beloved wife, mom, and Gran Gran! She was a loyal supporter for those she loved and for whom she was so proud. She was a gracious hostess who loved to entertain and delighted her guests with delicious home cooked meals and was especially famous for her three-layer chocolate birthday cakes. Anne’s charitable spirit was extended to family, friends and beyond as she prepared countless staff holiday dinners and prepared Thanksgiving feasts that were truly a blessing to all. She will be mightily missed, but always with us.

Anne is survived by her husband the Reverend Dr. David L. Alexander, her son David L. Alexander Jr. of Ponte Vedra, FL, son the Reverend Douglas Allan Alexander (Paula), of Lexington, KY, grandsons, Tristan Douglas Alexander of Miami, FL and Mark Allan Alexander of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Anne Alexander are suggested to Cypress Village Christian Worship Legacy Fund, 4600 Middleton Park Circle East, Apt. A-220, Jacksonville, FL 32224 or to the David and Anne Alexander Great Teaching Fund, Lexington Theological Seminary, 230 Lexington Green Circle, Ste 300, Lexington, KY 40503.