Bessie Alexander
May 11, 1923 ~ September 9, 2016
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Bessie Fortune Baird Alexander, 93, of Asheville, died September 9, 2016, at Givens Highland Farms Health Care.
Mrs. Alexander was born May 11, 1923 in Asheville. She graduated from Lee H. Edwards High School and Cecil's Business College. She worked at the Hans Rees Tanery, in what is now the River Arts District.
Bess enjoyed her volunteer service at St. Joseph's Hospital for 20 years. She was blessed with a "green thumb", and was an avid bridge-player. Bessie was one of the founders of the Asheville Area Al-Anon organization in 1954. Al-Anon has continued to help support many thousands of people from its time of inception. She was also a member of Piney Grove Presbyterian Church in Swannanoa, NC.
Mrs. Alexander is survived by her daughter Nancy G. Alexander; son Walter T. (Tom) Alexander (wife Joan); Carolyn M. Alexander; and grand-daughter Sarah Beth Tucker and grandsons Brian T. Alexander (wife Morgan) and Tyler W. Alexander and great grandson, Thomas Welch Alexander. Bessie was pre-deceased by her husband, Walter Wray Alexander, her parents Alice Fortune Baird and Thurman G. Baird Sr., her brother Thurman G. Baird Jr., and her sisters Sarah Baird Smathers and Mary Alice Baird.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 15, at Riverside Cemetery, with the Rev. Tammy Bales officiating.
The family would like to thank Ms. Lottie Watkins, Ms. Jill Penland, Ms. Loretta Rice and the staff at Givens Highland Farms for their loving care of Bessie during the past two years.
In lieu of flowers, the family would recommend donations to The Black Mountain Home for Children, 80 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. is assisting the family.
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Bess, you were one of the best friends I have ever had. I will always. Remember the great times we had laughing and talking and sharing our families. You were a wonderful lady and wonderful mother to your children. God be with your family in their loss, my love and thoughts to all of you. Love Martha Reece
Bess, you were such a sweet lady. I will never forget you. Martha and I loved you very much.
Nancy, Tom, Carolyn, and all the sweet grandchildren,
We were so saddened to read in the newspaper this morning that your mother and grandmother has passed away. Bess was a wonderful person and friend. We have many good memories of both Walter and Bess. May God give all of you peace and comfort during this difficult time. We love all of you and you will be in our thoughts and prayers!!!!!! Max and Ernestine Clubb
Tom, Nancy and family so very sorry to hear about your Mom. So many great memories of our families over the years. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
May Our Lord’s Christ Jesus’ promise of a resurrection, strengthen your family until the day when death is no more, and honest-hearted ones will see lost loved ones once again (John 5:28, 29). In the meantime, may the love and support of dear family and friends comfort you.
To Nancy and the family, So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Glenda Reeves Sargent and family.
Tom and Nancy, your Mother was the most kind and generous person one could know. She always was such a giving, caring friend who brightened every occasion one had to be with her. May God bless you and keep you.