Melton Eugene Alexander Sr.

Melton E. Alexander Sr. (Gene), age 84 of Belhaven, N.C. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 6 surrounded by his loving family. Born on May 28, 1941, in Robersonville, N.C. Gene lived a life defined by dedication to family, friends and his work life. Providing a living for his wife, Mamie Coltrain Alexander and son, Melton Eugene Alexander Jr., became a foremost interest in his life.

After gradating from high school, Gene, worked for a period with Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock and later joined the U.S. Army, serving for 2 years. His tour of duty included a one year stay in Seoul, Korea. Returning home he worked in shipbuilding again until he met his wife, Mamie C. Alexander and with time, married her in 1965.

He worked for Pilot Life Insurance for about a year and during this time took computer operations courses at Kee Business College in Norfolk, Va. which enabled him to first work in Key Punch Operations at a furniture business in that city. He then applied and went to the State of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in Richmond, Virginia as a computer operator, when computers were room-sized. This affiliation with the State of Virginia computer systems would lead to an "on the job training " and education that would span his entire work career to retirement in 2002. AS he rose through the ranks he moved to the State of Virginia Department of Account as a Computer Programmer and Systems Analyst. In the 1990's, as linked desk top computers became useful, Gene thrived and rose to the position of Computer Systems Engineer and remained in that position until his retired as Senior Computer Systems Engineer.

Outside of work, Gene enjoyed reconnecting with his friends and classmates (the Class of 59) and took great pride in helping plan his high school reunions and doing building and remodeling jobs on the weekends.

After retiring from the State of Virginia computer system with over 30 years of service Gene and his wife, Mamie moved to Pamlico Beach, on the Pamlico River not to far from Belhaven, N.C. There he continued his love of building and remodeling. He remodeled the first cottage that he and Mamie bought on the Pamlico and sold it to buy a larger property and house next door that need remodeling. This kept him busy for about the next 4-5 years. Gene enjoyed the use of the internet to keep in touch with his friends from the State of Virginia. Learning the use of this new tool satisfied his need to continue with computers.

In his later years he became dedicated to attending Sunday services and participating in activities of First Baptist Church of Smithton. The church family knew Gene as a quiet and sweet soul who was dedicated to attending Sunday services. He grew very close to the people of that church and being a part of a loving church family, he grew closer and closer to Jesus, taking home, in his heart, the messages shared by the pastors and his final preacher, Larry Jones, whose messages he found very inspirational, healing and uplifting.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Thelton Ray Alexander Sr. and mother, Lida Coburn Alexander. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mamie Coltrain Alexander, his son Melton Eugene Alexander Jr., of Mount Airy, NC and wife Catrina Cramer Alexander and 2 grandchildren, Jackson Smith and wife Caroline and Macy Smith Swartz and husband Austin, both of Mount Airy, NC and 3 brothers, Robert Vernon Alexander and wife Bessie of Kinston, Thelton Ray Alexander Jr. and wife Sandy of Varina, Va. and Richard Franklin Alexander and wife Melva of Williamston. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and extended family who loved and admired him as a caring and generous uncle. Above all else he was a devoted husband and father who cherished time with his family and worked tirelessly to provide for the support of those he loved.

Funeral arrangements are set for First Baptist Church of Smithton, 2951 Seed Tick Neck Rd., Pinetown, NC 27865 (Just outside of Belhaven) Luncheon at 11:30 pm in the church social hall, for family and out of town guests. At 1:00 pm Visitation will take place in the church sanctuary until 2:00 pm with Funeral Service from 2:00-2:45 in the sanctuary. Graveside Service will convene at Manning Cemetery, EH Williams Rd., Jamesville NC (Farm Life) * Go to the end of Maple Grove Church Rd., turn right, cemetery is at right.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Smithton. Gene will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service is honored to assist the Alexander family.

The service will be live streamed. It will begin a few minutes prior to the service. See the link under the events tab. In the event there are technicial difficulties, the recorded service will be uploaded to the obituary following the service.