Jean Maddy Alexander

Jean Maddy Alexander, 98, of Newport News, VA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 6, 2023. Jean was born on July 4, 1925, in Hinton, West Virginia, to the late Claude Randolph Maddy and Mary Roosevelt Maddy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Edward Lee Alexander, Jr., her sister, Ruth Maddy Talbott, and her great-granddaughter, Everly Marsha Willingham. Jean is survived by her sister, Jo Anne Maddy Butterworth; her five children, Dr. Edward Lee Alexander III (CeeCee), Leslie Alexander Leavenworth (Paul), Gail Alexander Mudrick (Paul), Jeffrey Martin Alexander (Rhonda) and Jeanne Alexander Terrell, as well as twelve grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren, with number twenty-one expected in December.

Jean's father and his two brothers owned and operated Maddy Brothers, a small business a short walk from their home in the small town of Hinton, which supported their family through the Great Depression. After high school, Jean moved to Baltimore and graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing during World War II. She joined the Cadet Nursing Corps as a student and was scheduled to deploy when the war ended. After graduation, Jean moved to southern California and completed her nursing education at USC before returning to Baltimore to serve as the nursing supervisor of the emergency department at Johns Hopkins University. It was there she met her future husband and the love of her life. Jean and Ed were married at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, on August 10, 1951. After Ed completed his medical training, they spent two years in Texas at Sheppard Air Force Base, where Ed fulfilled his military service commitment. They then moved to Newport News, where Ed joined his father in the practice of Internal Medicine.

A consummate homemaker, Jean raised five children with a homemade meal on the table every night and a loving home for her family. Her children all relied on her resilience, emotional equilibrium, and practical wisdom that continued until the day of her passing. Jean and Ed's example of deep love and commitment throughout their 65-year marriage has imprinted each of her family members. She loved working in her yard, planting flowers, and mowing the lawn with her ride-on lawn mower into her nineties.

Jean was a member of Hidenwood Presbyterian Church. She was a past president of the Women's Golf Association at the James River Country Club, winning the women's senior putting contest at the age of 90. Jean was the cherished matriarch of her family who are proud to carry on her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hidenwood Presbyterian Church, 424 Hiden Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606.

A special thank you from the family to her wonderful neighbors, especially Frank and Lucille Wagner, who made it possible for her to remain independent in her beloved home. Jean was proud to be designated the Sheriff of Merry Point Terrace and enjoyed her social time with her neighbors and friends.

A private family burial will take place at a later time.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.