Gloria Alexander, 78, passed Sunday, August 11, 2024 in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service held at 11:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at Coolspring Baptist Church with Rev. F. Mack, pastor; Rev. Eddie C. Johnson officiating/eulogist. Burial to follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Public viewing is 12:00-5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, August 19, 2024.

Gloria James Hightower Alexander was born to the late Rachel Watson Denson and the late James Hightower on December 21, 1945, in Montgomery, Alabama. Her beloved siblings, Gwendolyn (Denson) Franklin and Joe Ree Denson, followed in the years shortly thereafter. Gloria accepted Christ at an early age and considered Cool Springs Baptist Church her church home. She was educated in the Alabama Public School System, where she met the young man who became her husband, Charles Alexander, Sr. They both graduated from Glenville High School in Glenville, Alabama. They married on June 21, 1970, and later moved to Columbus, Georgia, to build their life together. From this union, two children were born: Charles Alexander Jr. and Shauna Jurae (Alexander) Rowland. Gloria graduated from Troy State University, ultimately earning a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from that institution. Her professional work focused on helping others and giving back to public school systems in both Georgia and Alabama. She retired from the Russell County School District as a Guidance Counselor. Gloria held membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. She later became a proud Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Gloria made her transition on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at the age of 78. Gloria will be remembered for loving fiercely and giving freely. She will also be remembered for her expert ability in the kitchen. Cooking was her love language. If she cooked for you, it meant that she loved you; if she shared a recipe, you were one of her favorites. It was her delight to watch you become physically and emotionally nourished by her delicious food. Cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, cracklin' bread, pound cake, hummingbird cake, red velvet cake, chocolate cake (with frosting oozing down the center), monkey bread, all kinds of cookies, zucchini bread, carrot cake, million dollar pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, fried collard greens, cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, potato salad... not to mention entrées. Everything that left her kitchen was exceptional. If you are smiling in remembrance right now, be at peace knowing that she loved you and is smiling down upon you.

She leaves to forever cherish her memory: her husband of 54 years, Charles Alexander, Sr.; her two children, Charles Alexander, Jr. and Shauna Jurae (Alexander) Rowland (and son-in-law Nathan Rowland); her two siblings, Gwendolyn Franklin (husband Terry Franklin) and Joe Ree Denson; her two adored grandchildren, Elise Victoria Rowland and Michael Nathaniel Rowland; first cousins: Dee Dee, Jeri, Carol, the late Milledge Jr., Sherry, Lynn, Tammy, Derwin, Sheila, Maurice, the late Jean, Brenda, Johnny, Billy, the late Joe Jr., Quan (Johnny Watson), Larry, the late Aretha, the late Malcolm, the late Joann, Daniel, the late Dan, Renee, Stacy, Kevin, Joseph, and Reggie; and a host of extended cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends from across the country.