Lois M. Alexander

Mrs. Lois Minarik Alexander, of Charlotte, passed away on April 21, 2016. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio January 15, 1929, a daughter of James Walter Minarik and Lucile Ahrens Minarik. Lois graduated from Hathaway Brown School in 1946 and Flora Stone Mather (Case Western Reserve University) with a Bachelor’s of Science in 1950. She was a camp counselor in Ohio and Idaho where she taught archery, canoeing, horseback, crafts, and swimming – activities that she enjoyed for the rest of her life. After graduating from college, she taught elementary school.

On December 27, 1952, she married John Brevard Alexander in Lakewood, OH. After living in Cleveland and Richmond, Virginia, they settled in Charlotte in 1963, where they raised three children together, sharing many adventures and joys. Lois taught at Eastover, Sharon, and Collinswood elementary schools. As a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Lois was active in the Women of the Church, Sunday school programs, Montreat weekends, and other church activities. She was also a member of the Professional Engineers Auxiliary of NC, the Charlotte Dance Club, Winghaven, Shepherd Center, Rosedale, the Mecklenburg Historical Association, and the Presbyterian Heritage Center.

Lois enjoyed 52 years in her house in Charlotte, tending her flower and vegetable gardens and watching the birds. She shared the beauty and the harvests with friends and those in need. She also loved her second home in Montreat, where she spent many long weekends relaxing and entertaining. She loved playing games and cooking with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and anyone else willing to have some fun. She will be remembered as a kind-hearted, generous, sweet lady who always managed to see the best in others. She demonstrated her beliefs by example and spoke with soft words.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her sister, and her husband John. She is survived by daughter, Nell Tortorich; son, J. Brevard Alexander Jr.; daughter, Elizabeth Hamilton and her husband Clay; and three grandchildren, Mary Morgan, Clara Elizabeth and John Charles Hamilton.

A Memorial Service will be held at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Friday, April 29 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Montreat Conference Center (Box 969 Montreat NC) or Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Charlotte, NC).