Lela Alexander's Obituary
Funeral services for Lela Mae (Durham) Alexander, 82, of Lufkin, will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Lufkin with Reverend Mack O. Page officiating. Interment will follow in Pennington Cemetery, Pennington, Texas.
Mrs. Alexander was born February 24, 1937. She was one of 12 children born to Zack and Ermie Frazier Durham. She passed away March 28, 2019 at a local hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, her parents, two sisters (Lillie Durham Gardner, Irene Durham Hardin) and four brothers (J.L. Durham, Henry Durham, Charles (Charlie) Durham, Leslie (Bill) Durham).
She was devoted to her church and family. She accepted Christ at an early age and she was quick to tell you that she was “working on her soul salvation” and to remind you to be working on yours. She faithfully attended Sunday school and church, sang in the choir and worked as a youth sponsor. She was a community advocate who was involved in government and public schools. She received the Humanitarian Award from the Top Ladies of Distinction. She was a two time recipient of the Mother of the Year award at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. She loved fishing, working in her yard, watching sports-especially coaching from the stands when her children or grandchildren were participating, traveling, going to singings and she loved discussing her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She never met a stranger and formed many friendships over the course of her lifetime. Her late husband described her as, the love of his life; charming, witty, opinionated with a big personality and a generous heart to match. She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1956. Without regrets, she turned down a modeling career early in her adult life to instead become a homemaker. Adults and children alike called her “Granny” for her grandmotherly words of wisdom and unwavering friendship and support. She was always encouraging folks to do the right thing and to live their best life.
Mrs. Alexander is survived by her three children, sons and daughter-in-law, Lee Alexander (special friend Angela Williams) of Lufkin, Bruce and LaShaunya Alexander of Lufkin, daughter and son-in-law, Tina and George Sellers of Lufkin, brothers and sisters-in-law, Leroy and Berta Durham of Lufkin, Robert and Ricky Durham of Dallas, sisters and brother-in-law, Irma Jean and Ben McClain of Lufkin, Georgia Mays of Lufkin, Cleola Richard of Lufkin, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Willie Mae Durham, Oletha Durham, Dina Durham, McStarling and Sally Alexander of Lufkin, Dorothy Alexander of Houston, Dorothy Prentice of Bullard, Grandchildren, Adam Sellers (fiancée Damonica Moore), Amber Sellers, Brianna Alexander (mother Mia Myers), Dralyn Johnson, Chloe Alexander, Marcus Levi (mother Susan Levi), Danielle Alexander Farani, Lee Otis Alexander, Jr., Great Grandchildren, Adam Alexander Sellers, II, Emory Anderson, Bryce Sellers, Adrian Sellers, Nia Rose Farani, special nieces and nephews Cathy Harper, Darlene Henderson, Stephanie McClain, Jay Taylor, Terrance Henderson and Billy Stewart, a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and First Missionary Baptist Church families, to the neighbors of Englewood and friends for all who rendered a service or whatever you did to console the heart by word or deed.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Colonial Mortuary at 1600 Sayers Street.
Colonial Mortuary Funeral Directors.
Lufkin.
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