Mary Baker Alexander

Mary Baker Alexander, 83, widow of Douglas O. Alexander, and a native of Raleigh, died Sunday, March 5, following many years of declining health. She was the daughter of Louis W. Baker, and accountant, who died in 1940. Her stepfather, Samuel F. Taylor, died in 1973. Her mother, Cleone Cole Baker Taylor, died in 1978. Her paternal grandfather was William J. Baker, who served as Comptroller of the Old Dominion Steamship Lines in New York City, and Treasurer of the Eastern Steamship Lines in Boston. Her maternal grandfather was James W. Cole, a Goldsboro, NC merchant and real estate developer, who served on the Board of Aldermen of that city for many years.
Mary Alexander enjoyed a lifelong love of music and was so talented as a child that she was presented in a private piano recital andradio broadcast when she was ten years old. After attending Peace College, she worked briefly for the Moore and Johnson Insurance Agency in Raleigh before marrying. She was an enthusiastic gardener, an avid bridge player, and a collector of antique glassware and dolls.
She is survived by her son, Louis Baker Alexander, and wife Brookie, of Raleigh, and their two daughters, Laura (Mrs. Mike) Cline of Raleigh and Beth (Mrs. Eduardo) Piqueras of Cary. She is also survived by her son, Ed Alexander, II, and wife, Claire, of Raleigh, and their children, Edward Alexander, Martha Alexander, and Douglas Alexander, all of Raleigh. She is also survived by her daughter, Mary Douglas Alexander, of Raleigh; and three great-grandchildren, Emma Cline, Jack Cline, and Dylan Piqueras.
A graveside service will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park, Glenwood Avenue, on Tuesday March 7, 2006 at 3 p.m., the Rev. Conway Lanford, of Westminster Presbyterian Church is officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 East Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27608.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street.
Condolences may be made through www.brownwynne.com