Barbara Wilkins Alexander

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim.4:7) BARBARA WILKINS ALEXANDER, age 74, was called home by God on March 17, 2009 after a determined battle against cancer. She was born in Opelousas, LA, to Dunbar and Eugenie Wilkins, both now deceased. After graduation from AIC, she went to New Orleans to earn her RN at Hotel Dieu School of Nursing. In New Orleans, she met her future husband, Michael (Mike) Alexander, and in 1956 they began their long and happy marriage of 53 years. Mike's company assignments led to frequent moves, and Barbara was able to provide her nursing skills and TLC to many patients in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Above all, Barbara was a loving, devoted, and loyal wife and mother, blessed with two sons, Steven and Patrick. She was a faithful and active Catholic, an enthusiastic tennis player, and a keen bridge player. Always a hard worker, she along with Mike and their sons had teamed up to construct their vacation home in Colorado. But life wasn't all work--Barbara and Mike loved to dance and to travel, whether camping out west, driving through Europe, or cruising to many lands. Barbara served our community in numerous ways, including Little League Mom, GSH Auxiliary officer, and Meals-on-Wheels volunteer. Because of her vivacious, outgoing, and steadfast character, she made many deep and lasting friendships. Barbara leaves behind her grieving husband; son Steven Alexander and wife Catherine Sikora of Georgetown, TX; son Patrick Alexander and wife Trena of Bakersfield, CA; grandchildren Taylor Alexander and Alana Alexander of Bakersfield, CA; brother John Wilkins and wife Ree of Houston, TX; nieces Gloria Byars and Debbie Lightfoot, and nephew John Wilkins. The family expresses their appreciation for the dedicated and attentive care given by doctors and nurses of Medical Clinic of Houston, Houston Metro Urology, Methodist Hospital, and Houston Hospice. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 o'clock in the morning, March 30, 2009 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10330 Hillcroft, Houston, with Father Hugh Cullen, Celebrant. The family will receive friends at the parish hall following the mass. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Barbara's memory to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, 77030; or to The Oshman Foundation Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, c/o The Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX, 77210-4384; or to a charity of your choice. Online tributes may be posted at www.bradshawcarter.com.