Samuel David Alexander Sr. VAN WYCK - Samuel David Alexander Sr., 90, a long-time resident of Van Wyck, S.C., died on March 31, 2014. Mr. Alexander was born June 17, 1923, in Matthews, N.C., to Neil Orman Alexander and Hattie Smith Alexander. Mr. Alexander graduated from N.C. State with a B.S. in Agriculture. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the Philippines from 1945 to 1946. He married Alice Crump Martin of Polkton, N.C., in 1949. A lifelong farmer, Mr. Alexander grew up farming with his seven brothers and sisters in Matthews and then farmed over 65 years with his family in Van Wyck. He had a major farming operation with a particular fondness for cows, turkeys and chickens. Mr. Alexander also served as a regional director of the Federal Land Bank. He farmed regularly until he was 85 and even after retirement could be found chopping wood or taking long hikes on his farm. Mr. Alexander was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. An elder at Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, he also loved his church family. Always ready with a story, Mr. Alexander had a great dry wit and an easy laugh. A natural with children, he entertained many a baby with a game of Peep Eye. Mr. Alexander also enjoyed traveling with the Silver Fox Club of the Rock Hill YMCA. Mr. Alexander was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Martin Alexander; and his parents and siblings, Glenn Cooper Alexander, Mary Neil Alexander and Benjamin Franklin Alexander. He is survived by his children, Samuel David Alexander Jr. and his wife, Bonnie of Rock Hill, S.C., Jean Elizabeth Alexander, of Asheville, N.C., Charles Martin Alexander and his wife, Salli, of Greenville, S.C., and Stephen Little Alexander of Greenville, S.C.; his grandchildren, Susan Roberson and her husband, Keith, Patrick Alexander, Jordan Alexander, Ginger Davis and her husband, Richard, Ashley Alexander, Charles Alexander, Bennett Alexander, Stephen Alexander Jr. and Kelsey Alexander. He is survived by five great-grandchildren, Kate, Anna and Elizabeth Roberson, Ava Davis and Holden Alexander. He is also survived by his siblings, Ruth Ingerson of Eaton, Md., Nancy Church of North Wilkesboro, N.C., Doris Alexander of Matthews, N.C., and Ralph Alexander and his wife, Ruby of Reidsville, N.C.; and his sister-in-laws, Julia Alexander of Van Wyck, S.C., and Ruth Alexander of Monroe, N.C., as well as his treasured friend, Lillian Matthews of Rock Hill, S.C. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, 5140 Old Hickory Rd., Van Wyck, SC 29744, with the Revs. Dr. Bill Johnson and Randy McSpadden officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service and suggest memorials be made to Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 68, Van Wyck, SC 29744. An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com. Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory, 1800 Charlotte Hwy., Lancaster, S.C., is caring for the family of Mr. Alexander