Edith Frances Alexander, age 96, Nevada, MO passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. She was born July 21, 1920 in Roscoe, MO to James and Lorena (Hayes) Porter. Edith grew up and attended school in Roscoe graduating with the Class of 1938. On December 23, 1939 she was united marriage to John Alexander and together the couple had one daughter and two sons. They lived on the family farm in Tiffin raising cows, pigs, chickens, and a garden large enough to share with friends and neighbors. Edith also worked at the International Shoe company in El Dorado Springs beginning employment there in 1945 working for thirty-six years until her retirement in 1981. In what spare time she had she enjoyed making quilts for family members and it became a tradition that she make a quilt each year for the family reunion to be given away to one lucky family. She was a longtime member of the Roscoe Union Church, before moving first to Pape Christian Church and then finally to the Park Street Christian Church in El Dorado Springs where she was an original member before the church was even constructed at its current site. One exceptional quality of Edith’s was her hospitality toward others. Her home was always open with food ready for anyone who might be hungry. Her grandsons have fond memories of spending time with her and driving the “old green truck” pretty much anywhere they wanted. She would often take them to Carter’s Market in El Dorado Springs where she would buy pop, candy, crackers, and whatever they wanted for their time spent with her. Through her life she always loved animals and every morning would bake them fresh cornbread so they could have cornbread and milk. In 1998 she decided to sell the farm and move to Higginsville to live near her son John and his family and in April 2013 moved to Nevada to be near her grandson Troy.
Survivors include her two sons, John Isaac Alexander and his wife Shirley of Corsicana, Texas; and Jim Edward Alexander and his wife Kay of El Dorado Springs; sister-in-law Fran Porter of North Kansas City; grandchildren, Michael Alexander and Lori of Texas; Brian Alexander and Theresa of Higginsville; Troy Alexander and Jenny of Nevada; Jolene Brigham of Carl Junction; and Shane Palmer and Michelle of East Prairie, MO; great grandchildren, Amanda and Jason Jock; Hannah Alexander, Jacob Alexander; Lauren Alexander, Gretchen Alexander, Jonah Dotson; Rachel and B.J. Phillips, Rhonda McNeece; McKenzie Alexander; Derek and Paige Palmer; Ethan Brigham; and Hunter, Kaitlyn and Courtney Palmer; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Edith was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents; one brother, Edward Porter; her sister, Betty Porter; infant great grandson, Jordan Brigham; and her infant daughter, Ella Lorene.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Bro. Howard McPeak officiating. Interment will follow in Union Point Cemetery in Tiffin, MO. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the Show-Me Christian Youth Home in c/o Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.
