Charles Ray Alexander 1899-1986

Charles Ray Alexander, of rural Dixon, was born on January 19, 1899, near Alder Springs in Miller County, a son of General Sherman and Saurilda Elizabeth Hollycross Alexander, and departed this life at 3:330 a.m., on Sunday morning August 31, 1986 in the Osage Beach Health Care Center where he had lived since October __, ____.  Mr. Alexander had attained the age of 87 years, 7 months and 12 days.

Mr. Alexander was preceded in death by his father on September 18, 1917; his mother on November 20, 1950; three brothers, James Alexander, Barney Alexander and Willie Alexander; and one sister, Mrs. Clara Lore.

Mr. Alexander had attended the Alder Springs Church of Christ near Iberia in earlier years.  He was a farmer and truck driver for all his working life having hauled livestock to the National Stockyards in East St. Louis, Illinois, for many years.

On September 16, 1942, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, Mr. Alexander entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until March 20, 1943, when he was honorably discharged at Camp White, Oregon.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Alexander at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday afternoon, September 3, 1986, in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with Bro. Roy Westbrook, Alder Springs Church of Christ, officiating.  Singers from the Alder Springs Church of Christ sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “Precious Lord Take My Hand” for the funeral service.

Interment was in the Freedom Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.  Pallbearers for Mr. Alexander were Willie Alexander, Bob Carmack, Windorf Helton, Calvin Whitaker, Farris Dake, and Loren Humphrey.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Alexander include: Two brothers, Orville Alexander, Richland and Arthur Alexander, Meta; and many other relatives and friends.

Fond memories of Mr. Alexander will long be remembered in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.