House Resolution 22

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MRS. ALBERTA MARION HOWARD ALEXANDER AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Alberta Marion Howard Alexander, to rest eternally, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, as she has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the City of Jackson lost a wonderful friend and skilled seamstress with the passing of Mother Alexander, born to the late Mr. Frank and Mrs. Barbara Luckett Howard on June 20, 1928, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, a pillar of strength, immense generosity and care, "Mom," as she was lovingly known as by those she loved unconditionally through her service to family and humanity, was a tireless servant and practicing member of the Catholic faith who touched countless lives through her selfless giving, imparted intelligence, entertaining spirit and regal stature of virtue; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Alexander received her formal education at Holy Ghost Catholic School before later graduating from Lanier High School, the perfect preparation for her collegiate matriculation, briefly at Tougaloo College before graduating from Tuskegee Institute with a bachelor of science degree in home economics and elementary education, and where she also served as the principal soprano soloist for the famed Tuskegee Institute Choir under the direction of composer and world renowned Dean of African-American Chorale music tradition, Mr. William Dawson, which enabled her to be the premier soloist when the Tuskegee Institute Choir became the first African-American performing group to appear at Washington, D.C.'s Constitution Hall in 1946; and

WHEREAS, with education as foundation of her legacy, Mrs. Alexander, a member of Phi Delta Kappa Honors Education Fraternity, attained both her master's degree in gifted education and specialist's degree in education from Jackson State University, and completed studies in Mississippi State University's Ph.D. program, and in keeping with the family's tradition, began her professional career as an educator by first establishing a tailoring school for veterans, and subsequent thereto, devoting 40 years to public elementary education throughout the State of Mississippi, which resulted in the crowning achievements of establishing the Open Doors Gifted and Talented Program for Jackson Public Schools and assisting in the creation of the APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex), both of which detail her infinite impact as an educator; and

WHEREAS, initially poised for a career as a soloist, fate would lend itself to otherwise, and in accordance with the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of her life by the Great Deity and grand architect of our lives' destiny, Alberta's heart was pierced by the love, chivalry and affection of

Fred Alexander Sr., who swept her off her feet, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony, building a lifetime of memories with the addition of five children, with whom they shared the abundant blessings of love, honor, humility, respect, civility, social awareness and tenacious perseverance; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing, protective and caring mother next, Mrs. Alexander was the epitome of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 virtue who possessed an ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, as she was a woman who sought the very heart of God and demonstrated great faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and command of respect, both given by and required of her, as a lifelong member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church which spurred her affiliations with such internal organizations as: the Alter Society; Knights of St. Peter Claver; St. Joseph Circle; St. Martin de Pores; church choir member and soloist; and Catechism Program Instructor/Mentor; and

WHEREAS, equally devoted to the call of community, cultural and civic awareness, Mrs. Alexander's social activism was inspired by her family, which enabled her to be engaged as a member of numerous organizations, including: Girl Scouts Troop Leader; Opera South; City of Jackson Library Board; St. Dominic Hospital Investigative Review Board; NAACP Life Member; National Education Association; Mississippi Voter Registration Committee; Tuskegee Alumni Association; and Risk Takers Investment Club; affiliations that confirms the recording of Romans 14:8, "If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord"; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon her arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, including her son, Fred Alexander III, granddaughter, Eve Alberta Jacob and two siblings, Erdelle Johnson and Clarence Howard, the legacy of Mrs. Alexander's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: daughters, Dr. Barbara Alexander Lofton (Jon), Sylvia Alberta Alexander Jacobs, Carmen Alexander Calvin and RaMona Clay Alexander; five grandchildren, Nicole, Torri, Kenneth, Norman and Anastasia; six great-grandchildren, Lauren, Madison, Juan, Alexander, Sebastian and Camille; siblings, Frank Howard and Virginia Fare Thomas; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and be renewed in their faith that Mrs. Alexander fulfilled the purpose of her appointed time in adherence to the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, by having "fought a good fight, finishing her course and keeping the faith until the hour of her departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of a genuine and selfless individual such as Mrs. Alexander, whose light illuminated the path of hope for all she encountered along this earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mrs. Alberta Marion Howard Alexander, and express sincere and deepest sympathy upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Alexander and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.