Samuel Alexander, Sr.

Graveside services for Samuel Eldridge Alexander Sr. will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at Magnolia Cemetery. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Eldridge, 91, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, in Centennial, Colo. He was born in Blandburg, Pa., and met Virginia after moving to Indiana to attend college. Mr. Alexander served with distinction in the 15th Air Force, 744th Bomb Squadron during World War II. He was stationed in Italy and flew 22 sorties over Germany and Northern Italy as a nose gunner in a B-24 Liberator. After the war, Mr. Alexander entered the lumber business, which led him and Virginia to move to Meridian in 1949. They loved Meridian and always considered it to be their home. Mr. Alexander was a long-time member of First Baptist Church and Northwood Country Club. He loved to play golf and deer hunt, but especially enjoyed the company of his family and friends. He will be remembered as a dedicated father and grandfather, a kind friend, and a loving husband.

Survivors include his son, Sam Alexander Jr. of Castle Rock, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Paige Bizzell of Dimmit, Texas, Jerry Alexander Jr. of Spur, Texas, Ashley Tinnin Frazer of Memphis, Tenn., Natalie Tinnin Lynch of Hernando, Jill Tinnin of Jackson, Eric Alexander of Huntsville, Ala., and Dana Alexander of Castle Rock; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Virginia; his son, Jerry Alexander; and his daughter, Janet Alexander Tinnin.

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