Teresa Lynn Powell Alexander, 56 years old, died on Monday, January 9, 2017, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On September 7, 2016 Teresa was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma that had spread to her liver. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through 4 months of chemotherapy, radiation, and countless doctor visits.
Teresa was born on November 20, 1960 at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia to Jerry Lennes and Jessie Ruth Cox Powell. She was the oldest of two daughters, her sister – Sharon Dedeaux – lives in Poplarville, Miss. with her husband Adrian.
In 1981, Teresa married Brett Newton Alexander from Poplarville, Miss. at Juniper Grove Church. During their 35 years of marriage, they raised two children, Austin Jerrod Alexander and Sarah Virginia Alexander over the years in Hattiesburg, Miss. Teresa faithfully raised her children in a loving, nurturing environment even after they left the house to pursue their own lives.
Teresa graduated from USM in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree and dedicated her life to teaching. She made stops at North Forrest High School, Forrest County Agricultural High School, and Pearl River Community College before retiring in 2012 to come home and take care of her family.
Known for possessing a servant’s heart, Teresa found her greatest joy taking care of family and friends by preparing meals, cleaning, or just spending time visiting. She loved her family and friends more than anything on this earth and was a loyal friend to many. Anyone that came into contact with her knew her as “one of the sweetest ladies they’ve ever met”. Teresa loved to read, cook, shop, travel, garden, sit on the beach, and spend time with her grandchildren doing whatever they asked of her. She was a woman that no matter if she was going to the grocery store or to the Elk’s Mardi Gras Ball, she was going to be put together very well.
Teresa is preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents, S.W. and Pearl Powell and Rossie and Ruth Cox, respectively.
Teresa is survived by her husband and children, her sister, her parents, her daughter-in-law Carley Andrews Alexander, and 5 grandchildren, Addison Reese, Andrew Dossett, AnnaMassey Ruth, Asher Davis Oree, and Ace Jerrod Alexander. Also numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Transverse Myelitis Association, 1787 Sutter Parkway, Powell, Ohio 43065-8806.
Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday at Pineview Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday night at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home Chapel and beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday until service time at Pineview Baptist Church.
Interment will be in Dixie Cemetery. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg is in charge of arrangements.