Mrs. Mary Gill Alexander
Passed 06/30/2021
Rev. Otha Wimbush, Pastor Rev. Mack Talley, Presiding INTERMENT: Church Cemetery
MRS. MARY ELIZABETH GILL ALEXANDER, affectionately called “Mary Ben,” and daughter of the late Eddie “Buck” and Lizzie Davis Gill was born April 19, 1915 in Warren County, North Carolina and the second born of nine children. Her six siblings: Annie Bagley, Ethel Chavis, Willie, Edward, Jimmy, and John Henry Gill preceded her in death. She was called home to glory after a WELL spent life on June 30, 2021 at the young age of 106. The year she was born Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States, a gallon of milk was $.37, and a first class stamp was $.02.
At an early age she joined Greenwood Baptist Church, Warrenton, North Carolina.
Mary married the late Ben James Alexander of Palmer Springs, VA on October 12, 1935. She told the family that he came to North Carolina to find her because he was related to most of the girls in Palmer Springs. To this union seven children were born; two of whom preceded her in death- Mary Banks and Kathleen Warnock, and four grandchildren. She also reared her nephew- James Moss, whom she loved as her son and a granddaughter- Debra Perkins. She moved to Virginia and became a homemaker and farmer’s wife. She later kept children for the working mothers in the community. She was a caregiver for the Russell and Coleman families; she worked as a cook at Simmons Terminal and Palmer Springs Retirement Center and at South Hill Motel as a housekeeper.
“Mary Ben” became a member of Jerusalem United Church of Christ in the late thirties and remained a faithful member until her demise. Her church and community affiliations included: member of the Willing Workers Club, Jerusalem UCC Usher Board for over twenty-five years; Jerusalem UCC Home Mission, and Palmer Springs Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary. She was named Mother of Jerusalem UCC Usher Board in September 2009. Her hobbies included growing flowers, planting vegetables, canning all types of fruits and vegetables, making pickles, chow chow, jellies and preserves. She also made lye soap. It came out so white and pretty that she said, “It sold right away for the Women’s Auxiliary.” She also made the best stew.
Her favorite color was blue and her favorite flower was carnations. Her favorite songs were: “I Am Redeemed,” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Her favorite scriptures were John 14: 1-3 and Psalms 23.
“Mary Ben” attributed her longevity to doing what was right by loving and helping others and trusting in the Lord. The blessings of it all is that she was still in her right mind and reasonable health. Her steps may have been slow, but her mind was sharp as ever.
She leaves to mourn six children- Annette “Nett” Jones, Baltimore, MD; Dorothy “Dot” Hendrick, Wise, NC; Ben J. “Junie” (Carolyn) Alexander, Bowie, MD; Joan (Ben) Parker, Greensboro, NC; Wayne (Helen) Alexander, Boydton, VA, and James Moss, Warrenton, NC; son-in-law, Ronald Warnock, Boydton, VA; granddaughter she raised- Debra (Jerome) Perkins, Temple Hills, MD; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 25 great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-grandchild; two sisters that called every day to check on one another- Corrine Hughes and Bertha White, Boydton, VA; close friends- Sebelia Banks, Laura Bullock, and Sidney Russell (who affectionately called her “Ma Mary”), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.