Tommy Alexander

Thomas P. "Tommy" Alexander, age 81, of Ethelsville, AL passed away March 1, 2023 at his residence. Funeral services will be 3:00 pm Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Forest Methodist Church in Ethelsville with Rev. Dave Harrington officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior and immediately following the service at the church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Osborne Wingate "Sam" Alexander, Sr. and Bessie Ennis Alexander; three brothers, O. W. Alexander, Jr., Cecil Alexander and Larry Alexander and sister, Betty Fancher.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patsy Alexander; sons, Matt Alexander and wife, Monica and Ben Alexander and wife, Ashley; sister, Sharon Waas; three grandchildren, Emma Grace Alexander, Ava Rose Alexander and Jean Paul Argemil; sisters-in-law, Ruby Alexander and Brenda Alexander; sixteen nephews and thirteen nieces.
"Tommy," as he was affectionately known to his friends and family, was a retired maintenance supervisor at Mississippi University for Women. He had numerous interests and hobbies throughout the years, including woodworking, raising horses, playing checkers, watching sports with family members, and spending hours with his friends at local convenience stores drinking coffee in an attempt to solve the world's problems. He had the unique distinction of being the only human being who never lost an argument (according to him anyway). He loved to debate anything and everything he could. These debates were always good-natured, but intense nonetheless, and many of the topics were quite humorous.
He was not a complex man of faith. He believed that God was good and Jesus loved us all, and if we believed in Jesus, we would be taken care of when we passed from these earthly bonds. He loved many people throughout his life, and many loved him back. He was stern and tough as nails, but he was also quietly a pushover, easily crying when it came to family and friends (especially where it concerned his two granddaughters). He cared about his immediate family and his extended family of more than 16 nephews and 13 nieces. He could be obstinate and always did things his way, but he lived a full, rich life, and his family mourns his loss.
His wife, Patsy, was his angel the last few months and cared for him more than anyone else, even when times got extremely tough - a testament to their 55 years of marriage. We would also like to thank the hospice staff from Southern Care New Beacon Hospice in Northport, Alabama for their patience and kindness shown towards our dad. Finally, thanks to the parade of family members who steadily came to pay homage to our dad this last year – you lifted his spirits and brightened his days.
Pallbearers will be Mike Alexander, Lawson Fancher, Stan Alexander, Scott Fowler, Joey Pridmore and Donald Fancher.
Honorary Pallbearers are Dewey Bell, Gerald Dodds, David Curtis, Jimmy Hughes and Luther Bush.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.