Margaret Alexander

Mrs. Margaret Smith Alexander, 83, of Statesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 27, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Alexander was born Jan. 17, 1930, in Davidson County, NC, the daughter of the late Phillip Forrest Smith and Florence Sharpe Smith. She was a graduate of Linwood High School in Linwood, NC, and Appalachian State Teachers College, and received her Master's in Teaching from Appalachian State University. On June 23, 1956, she married the love of her life, Latimer Breck Alexander, III. Together, they raised their family, traveled extensively, played bridge whenever they could, and went to the beach as much as possible. They were also faithful and active members of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on numerous committees, and received great pleasure from participating in the United Methodist Women and the Mary Martha Circle. A dedicated school teacher for 35 years, Mrs. Alexander spent most of her career in the Statesville City Schools, teaching at Davie Ave., A.D. Rutherford and Pressley Elementary Schools. She loved all her students, remembering them long after they had left her classroom. She especially enjoyed her participation in the Business and Professional Women's Club, where she served as President in 1973. Her greatest pleasures - cooking, entertaining and opening her home to everyone - are gifts she passed on to both friends and family, and will always be remembered. In addition to her husband of 57 years, Mrs. Alexander is survived by three children, Latimer Breck Alexander, IV (Robin) of High Point, Cheryl A. Matthews (Ron) of Statesville, Phillip Forrest Alexander (Bindy) of Huntersville; eight grandchildren, Laura Flack (Michael), Latimer Alexander V, David Alexander, Kate Teel (Graham), Coleman Matthews, Kathleen Alexander, Matthew Alexander, Caroline Alexander; four great grandchildren, Lucy Flack, Alexander Flack, Charles Flack, Emerson Teel; two sisters, Mary Lassiter of Welcome, NC, and Nancy Seaford of Lexington, NC; and two brothers, James Smith of Linwood, NC, and John Smith of Salisbury, NC. A memorial service for Mrs. Alexander will be held Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Danny Leonard, Rev. Gervase Hitch and Rev. Michael Flack officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends at a special celebration of Mrs. Alexander's life at the Bunch House, 1048 The Glen St. Memorials may be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County and online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com. The family also extends special thanks to Bonnie Dalton, Odessa Holmes, Barbara Dobbins, Olivia Vickers, and everyone at Hospice for their love and care for Mrs. Alexander. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Margaret Alexander.