Nora Joyce Griffin Alexander—loving mother to many and ultimate caregiver—passed peacefully in her sleep on November 21, 2016 at the age of 86. In our world of haste and distraction, Joyce kept her priorities in order; though her health had declined in recent years, her love for her family and her Lord never wavered. George Bernard Shaw once said "A happy family is but an earlier heaven." Those words ring truer for none than for our "Maw Maw."
Joyce was born in Ted, Mississippi on December 12, 1929, with twin sister and life-long best friend, Doris. She moved to Gilchrest, Oregon at an early age, where she lived until her early twenties. She cherished the years her family spent in Gilchrest and fondly reflected on the beautiful Oregon scenery. After attending Southern Oregon University, she returned home to Mississippi where she briefly worked in Jackson at the office of the State Superintendent of Education. She met Will H. shortly after returning home, and they were married February 21, 1953. She and Will H. were blessed with 5 children who were the light of her life. In between her busy life as a mom, buyer for Alexander's furniture and gift shop, and fundraising chairwoman for Jasper County's annual American Heart Association drive, she and Will H. enjoyed traveling with friends. They left few stones unturned; among her favorite places visited were Rome, Italy, Athens, Greece, and Hawaii. No stranger to hard work, she was a frank speaker. Her family fondly remembers Maw Maw's many words of wisdom, such as: "Any job worth doing, is worth doing right!" –a legacy her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren aim to proudly sustain. Today, she is rejoicing in a heavenly reunion with loved ones gone before her: the love of her life, Will H.; partner in crime, (sister) Doris; beloved daughter, Joan; and many others.
She was welcomed into glory by her parents, Ervin Franklin Griffin and Lilla Mae Warren Griffin; husband, William Harrison Alexander, Sr.; brothers John Warren Griffin and James Ervin Griffin; twin sister Billie Doris Brown; and daughter Joan Gail Alexander Pittman. She is survived by daughters Mary Griffin Alexander Nichols (Joe David) and Susan Alexander; sons William Harrison Alexander, Jr. (Donna) and Joe Franklin Alexander, Sr. (Beverly); niece Jackie Brown Peterson (Tis); grandchildren Christa LaDonna Alexander, Joe Franklin Alexander, Jr. (Holly), Elliott Marshall Alexander (Bayley), Alexis Charles Alexander, Christopher Lukas Tubb (LeAnne), and Katye Tubb Hill (Jeremy); and great-grandchildren Logan, Anna, Jaxson, Jeron, Isaac, Liam, Abram, and Jameson.

Pallbearers: Elliott Marshall Alexander, Joe Franklin Alexander, Jr., Prentiss Carr Alexander, III, Timothy Lee Cole, Denny Alexander Cole, Melvin Leon King, Eric Everett Lindstrom, Jr., Joe David Nichols

The Alexander Family extends our deepest thanks to the staffs of
Summerland Manor and Jasper General Nursing Home for their
compassion and care over the last few years.