Alexander Provinse

1994 - 2023

Alexander Raphael Provinse, beloved son, grandson, and nephew, was born November 25, 1994 to Darrell George Provinse and Rebecca Jean (Havens) Provinse. He was preceded in death by his grandfather William Provinse, his grandmother Lynette Provinse, his Aunt Shirley Provinse, and is survived by his uncle and aunts, Bill Provinse, Elisabeth Provinse, Nancy Walton, Judy Moser, Bobbie Miller, numerous cousins, and other Provinse and Havens family members.

Alexander was adored and cherished by many. His smile was infectious, his laughter was intoxicating, and his sense of mischief and playfulness were delightful and irresistible. He was a passionate fan of the game show Jeopardy and had a lifelong love of the Jeopardy song, which dated back to his earliest years when he and his father would sit together and watch the game show. His love of the Jeopardy song was known to all, including hospital staff, school teachers, Sunday school teachers, and anyone who came to know one of the sweetest and most loving individuals that has graced this planet. He enjoyed throwing balls, watching windshield wipers, and until unable to eat food by mouth, delighted in cuisine of all kinds.

Although somewhat limited in mobility, in his early life he was able, with his father's help, to experience bowling, miniature golf, horseback riding, water parks, camping, hiking, white water rafting and rock climbing. He traveled to more than 20 states and visited two amusement parks. He participated in Special Olympics and the Easter Seals Telethon, and his handsome picture was in a lot of the brochures and promo pictures for those events.

Alexander attended grade school at Jackson Park Elementary School in University City, attended Litzinger School in his middle school years, and Parkway West for his high school years. He was loved by many and was arguably the star of, his senior prom. He attended Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church and in particular, Oaks Too, which is the Twin Oaks special needs Sunday school program.

Alexander suffered from a congenital condition resulting in Aqueductal Stenosis and Hydrocephalus, which causes cerebral spinal fluid to build up and put pressure on the still developing brain while in his mother's womb. He was delivered two months prematurely, and endured six cutting edge, invasive brain surgeries that included a cranial reshaping within the first few months of life. Throughout his life, Alexander suffered with a seizure disorder, cerebral palsy and both cognitive and physical delays. In his later years, besides the insertion and removal of a vagal nerve stimulator, shunt revisions, he was further afflicted with appendicitis, gastro paresis, and an emergency shunt revision.

Alexander required a lot of care and attention, but those who gave it were rewarded with hugs and smiles and the certain knowledge that their love and care were reciprocated. Over time, his ability to verbalize and communicate diminished, but he never stopped being loving, kind, caring, affectionate, or displaying a well-developed sense of humor and mischief. In most recent years, after each significant health event, he was never able to fully recover and, despite his family's every hope for his recovery, he continued a slow and steady decline.

Most recently, Alexander received quality care for two months in the ICU at Barnes Hospital, but on September 4th, 2023, went to be in the arms of his Lord, and many loving relatives who had gone before. When Alexander passed, he was attended by his father and his loving Aunt Beth, who has stayed by his side and helped care for him for the past 14 years and even attended him in his hospital stay 24-7, when his father could not be present.

Alexander is now walking and leaping and praising God in Heaven. delighting and confounding everyone with his humor and mischief, and basking in the love and grace of his heavenly father.

To be absent in the flesh is to be present in the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8.