Marjorie Jenkins Alexander, 74, a longtime resident of Gainesville, died peacefully in her home on October 9, 2015 surrounded by family and friends after fighting a valiant battle with lung cancer. Marjorie was born on February 9, 1941, in Atlanta, GA and lived in Jacksonville, FL and New Orleans, LA. She graduated from St. Mark’s Episcopal School in 1958. She graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics and The University of Florida with a Specialist Degree in Education and Masters Degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Rehabilitative Counseling. She was also a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Marjorie is survived by 4 children: Sarah McGinty Warren, Miriam Elizabeth Alexander Moore (Peter), John Frankin Alexander III (Carmela) and Grover Ley Alexander (Jennifer) and 7 grandchildren: Matthew, Andrew, Hannah, Christopher, Abigayle, Jonathan and Nathan. She has 2 siblings, Nancy Jenkins Kinser (George) and Eugene Otis Jenkins Jr. (Denyse). Marjorie was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Franklin Alexander, Jr. Marjorie was a much loved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Marjorie was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Pathfinders Sunday School class, often serving as a convener and an usher. She helped start the Stephen Ministries Program at TUMC and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She supported Family Promise and was the Coordinator for the Flower Ministry. Marjorie contributed to the Gainesville Community as a volunteer and board member at the Crisis Center of Alachua County, as Chair of the Alachua County Library Foundation and as the Voter Services Chair of the League of Women Voters. She also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville, FL. Marjorie was an avid reader and was a member of several book groups: The Loose Canons at TUMC, the Greedy Readers of Santa Fe College and the Chi Omega Book Group in Gainesville. She was a PROUD Democrat and loved to travel with her late husband John. Marjorie continued to travel after John’s death; having recently taken trips to Turkey, China and Italy. Marjorie worked for the Poverty Program in Jacksonville, FL, the Epilepsy Foundation in Gainesville, FL and IFAS at the University of Florida. She retired from Santa Fe College after holding the positions of Coordinator and Counselor for Work Exploration, Coordinator and Counselor of the Counseling Center, Coordinator of Grants Programs and Coordinator for the Women of Distinction Program. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, October 17th at Trinity United Methodist, 4000 NW 53 Ave, Gainesville, FL, with Dr. Dan Johnson presiding. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marjorie’s honor to Trinity United Methodist Church or Haven Hospice.
