Vera Alexander

Vera McLaughlin Alexander, age 94, passed away on Sunday evening after a brief hospital stay. She was the seventh child of twelve born to John Will and Josephine McBeth McLaughlin in the Fairfield area of northwest Marion County, Florida. She was a life time resident and pioneer of Marion County and was recognized as such by the Marion County Museum of History.
She was a member of Liberty Chapel Missionary Baptist Church since the age of 13 where she served in many capacities: as Sunday school teacher, choir member, treasurer, trustee and vacation bible school director.
Her education began at Wetumpka Primary School in Fairfield, with completion of secondary studies at Fessenden Academy in Martin and Howard Academy in Ocala respectively. Her higher education foundation was started at Florida A&M University and continued at Bethune Cookman College with earning of the B.S. degree in Mathematics. She completed graduate studies for the Master of Arts in guidance and counseling at Atlanta University and additional graduate coursework at the University of Florida and the University of Miami.
She lived a very active life after high school traveling and performing with an entertainment troupe. Thereafter she worked in the Marion County school system for 25 years as secondary level mathematics teacher and guidance counselor at Fessenden High for the most of the years and retiring after serving as guidance counselor from North Marion High School.
During her life she participated in various community organizations and social clubs. While employed with the school board she served as a member of the Mental Health Association of Marion County, the Booster Clubs of FHS and NMHS, and the American Association of University Women. She kept very busy through her later years serving as treasurer of Order of Eastern Star Chapter 138, Liberty Chapel Church Aid Society, trustee of the Blue Sink Community Organization, past president and member emeritus of the Marion County Branch of the NAACP, commissioned member, Board of Supervisors, Marion Soil and Water Conservation district, Group One, Marion County, and life member of Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Ocala Unit #31.
Vera was preceded in death by her husband James C Alexander; daughter Ernice Vivian “Cookie” Wilkerson; sisters Minnie Green, Annie Williams, Julia McMahon, and Eulela Pierson; brothers William, Monroe, Samuel, and John McLaughlin; and foster son Harold Kinsler.
She left many loved ones to cherish her memories: daughter Annie Alexander-Harvey; foster daughter Annie M. “Esther” West-Ocala; foster son Ralph Gaines-Sarasota; grandchildren Lyndrina (Fred) Evans -Houston, TX and Alex Garland Harvey-Jacksonville; foster granddaughters Latrece Bryant and Kachina Smith of Ocala; sisters Alice (John) Boatwright-Fairfield; Ernice V. Carter- Beckley, WV, Josephine Alexander-Jacksonville; foster brother Robert (Essie) Clark-Blitchton; sister-in-law Carolyn McLaughlin-Fairfield; thirteen great grands; three great-great grands; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
Memorial Service for Vera McLaughlin Alexander will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 11:00am. Liberty Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 13235 NW Hwy 225, Reddick, Florida. Visitation Will Be On Friday August 30, 2013 From 10 am Til 5pm At Cunningham Funeral Home. A wake Service will be held on Friday August 30, 2013 at 6pm til 7pm at Cunningham Funeral Home. Interment: Liberty Chapel Cemetery. Family and Friends Are asked to meet at the Alexander residence (8791 NW 110th Street Reddick, Florida) At 10:15am On Saturday To Form The Funeral Cortege. www.cunninghamfhocala.com

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