Wilhelmina Alexander

Wilhelmina Alexander was born January 28, 1930 in Pelzer, South Carolina. She was the daughter Ross and Bertha Cobb. Wilhelmina ventured off and attended cosmetology school in Chicago. After completing cosmetology school, Wilhelmina moved to Pendleton, SC in 1949 and met Robert Theo Alexander. Wilhelmina married Robert Alexander in 1950.
Wilhelmina was the first African American woman to own a beauty salon in Clemson (Calhoun) South Carolina. She later opened a beauty salon in the basement of her home in Pendleton, South Carolina. She worked there as a beautician for 70 years growing, pressing and styling many women hair in surrounding towns.
Wilhelmina took pride in going to town every Monday to pay bills and shop. When going into town, you would always see her son Lafayette with her. They were glued at the hip.
Wilhelmina looked forward to the Cobb Family Reunion in Pelzer, South Carolina on the first weekend of August every year. She also enjoyed spending Christmas in Pelzer, where she would gather with her siblings as well as family from near and far. She cherished spending time with her loved ones in Pelzer because, that's where the family home house is located. Her father, Ross Cobb owned many acres of land and passed them down to Wilhelmina and her siblings.
Wilhelmina was a member of Silver Spring Baptist Church. She served on the finance committee, missionary board and was a member of the choir just to name a few of her important roles. Wilhelmina enjoyed hosting and preparing homemade dinner for the Pastors on Monday night every year for the start of church revival.
Wilhelmina received excellent care in the home by her grandson Tyson Alexander. He would sometimes bathe her and made sure she was properly cared for. Wilhelmina had a loving caregiver, Tiffany Mattress that cared for her as if she was her own grandmother. Her niece LaShun Cobb loved her aunt Wilhelmina and would often take time to see that "Aunt Whit" received adequate care. Her grandson, McRanda (Tenoia) Alexander opened up a restaurant called Wilhelmina's in 2020 and named it in honor of Wilhelmina because of her love for cooking.
Wilhelmina departed this life and went to be with the lord on Monday, September 2, 2024 at Prisma Health Cottingham Hospice House, Seneca, SC.
Wilhelmina leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters; Robbie Alexander and Paulette (Edward) Reid ; one sister, Eunice( James) Donald (Pelzer, SC) three grandsons; McRanda (Tenoia) Alexander, Tyson (Michelle) Alexander, and Robert (Footie) Alexander; one granddaughter, Jacinta Alexander; five great granddaughters, Brianna Alexander, Mikia Weston, Empress Randolph, Yah-Highness Randolph, Destiny Golden; Eight great-grandsons Devonte Mattison, Maury Johnson, Tyland Mattison, Devone Alexander, Tayvione Alexander, Nasir Sanders, Tyrique Gambrell, Drek McDowell; three brothers, Alphonso Cobb (Florida), Joe (Martha)Cobb (Georgia), and Julius Cobb (Greenville, SC); a special niece, Lashun Cobb; special caregiver, Tiffany Mattress ; two bonus grandsons, Eric Maddox, Pierre Sanders; goddaughter
Sandra Speed along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Wilhelmina was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Bertha Cobb husband, Robert Theo Alexander; son, Julius Lafayette Alexander; sisters, Cora Cobb, Medora (Lesley) Bradley; brothers, James (Anne) Cobb, Robert (Joanna) Cobb, John Henry Sylvester (Vivian) Cobb, Douglas (Annie) Cobb, Otto (Jeretha) Cobb; two son in laws Paul Reid and William Ray Fruster; Father in law, John Alexander and sister in law, Rosetta Cobb.
The funeral service for Mrs. Alexander will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Silver Spring Baptist Church at 1:00 pm, Pendleton, SC. Interment will follow at Webb Cemetery.
Public Viewing: Friday, September 6, 2024, from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the mortuary.
The service will stream live from The Unity Mortuary Facebook page.
The family is at 322 Scott Drive, Pendleton, SC 29670