Mamie "Marie" Alexander was 79 years blessed when she was called home to be with the Lord. She died on Dec. 15, 2014, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. Marie was born in New York City on April 28, 1935, to Edgar Manning and Cornelia (Fields) Manning. She remained in New York until she met and married William Alexander on Feb. 24, 1966. On Jan. 1, 1970, they arrived in Anchorage, Alaska; their last duty station where they have resided ever since. She attended New York University, Anchorage Community College and the University of Christian Studies and Seminary in Eagle River. Her goal was to obtain a degree in Christian Counseling. She received her Associate Ministerial status in October 2009, and became a licensed Minister in October 2010. Marie attended Anchorage Northside Seventh-Day Adventist Church, where she was an Elder and the personal ministries leader. Her duties included Sabbath school teacher, youth counselor and community services coordinator. Her community service contributions included her greatest joy as prison ministries volunteer for 27 years. She was also ADRA coordinator in Anchorage, volunteer for AARP Information Center, RSVP volunteer, Chaplin of women's auxiliary for the VFW, policy council member of the Head Start Program, member of the state Association of Colored Women's Club and Associate Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star far North Chapter #4. She held certificates as a certified nursing assistant, Instructor of E.S.L. (English as a second language) and AARP driver safety instructor. Marie loved music. Her favorite songs were: "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", "Too Close to the Mirror" (in English) and "My God Loves Me" (in Samoan). Her favorite saying was, "If you're going to pray, don't worry and if you're going to worry, don't pray." Her favorite scripture was Matthew 25:35-40. Her hobbies consisted of writing short stories, skits and poetry, scrap booking, ceramics, sewing, home decorating, upholstery and surfing the net. She also considered herself a professional student and would study anything of interest. She has four children, Michael Alexander, Brandi Alexander, Kimberly Alexander (deceased) and Toscha Alexander; five grandchildren, Zena Alexander, Michael Heyward, William Alexander, Michael Alexander II and Cherilyn Alexander-Shelko; six great-grandchildren, Terrell Heyward, Marissa Heyward, Alale Alexander, Jared Alexander, William Alexander and Jordan Alexander; and siblings, Corrine Ferguson, Alice Reeder, Corrie Pleasant, Marie Wallace, Clifton Fields, Thelma Fields and Johnny Fields (all deceased). Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and celebration of life will follow. Both will be held at Anchorage Northside Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located at 204 W 10th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska, 99501, on Dec. 28, 2014. Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
Published by Anchorage Daily News on Dec. 23, 2014.