Johnnie Mae (Patterson) Alexander

On September 7, 2022, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Patterson Alexander triumphantly returned to the arms of the Lord at The Shannon Gray Rehabilitation and Recovery Center.  She was born the oldest of ten children in Bunkie, LA on March 5, 1933, to the now late Austin and Ellen Patterson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Alexander; a son, Lester Jr.; five brothers, Harold Patterson Sr., Sam Patterson, Austin Patterson Jr., Clarence Patterson, and Charles Patterson; one sister, Geraldine Bazile; two grandchildren, James Gates Jr. and Ashley Alexander; and a son-in-law, James Green.

Johnnie Mae graduated from Bunkie Colored High and attended Southern University for one year.  She met and married Lester Alexander on September 11, 1952, and moved to High Point, NC.  To this union six children were born.  She joined the Mount Vernon Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. F. O. Bass, Sr. and later the Temple Memorial Baptist Church under Rev. A. L. Byrd where she served faithfully as a member of Missionary Group #5.  She worked at Evergreens Nursing Home as the assistant dietary manager, retiring in 1995.

Johnnie was known for her baking and cooking skills.  She loved to bake cakes for her family and friends.  She was also an avid gardener and lover of books.  She taught her family to play cards, board games and crocheted blankets for all her grandchildren. 

Surviving to cherish loving memories are five daughters, Janice Gates of the home, Cynthia Green, Acquanetta Alexander, Cook Alexander, and Terri Hairston (Shawn) all of High Point; one son, James Alexander (Lisa) of Vallejo, CA; fifteen grandchildren, Melanie, Brandon, Quintin, Alaina (Carmelo), Michelle, Noah, Marcus, Janelle (Anthony), Dominique, Kendra, Mallory, Aliya, and Nicholas; nineteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; one brother, Warren Patterson (Cherry Ann) of Bunkie, LA; two sisters, Evelyn Patterson of Gardena, CA and Faye Gallerson of Bunkie, LA; in-laws, John Joyner (Shirley) of High Point, Leslie Joyner (Tina) of Allentown, PA, Patricia Joyner of Greensboro, NC, Joyce Frazier of Easton, PA, and Gloria Alexander of High Point; a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

A Service of Love in Memory of Mrs. Alexander will take place at 12 noon, Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Temple Memorial Baptist Church, 1458 Cedrow Drive, High Point, NC.  The family will receive visitors and friends from 11:30 to 12 noon on Tuesday.  Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park.

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