Elizabeth Heather Alexander-Blake

Beth was born December 21, 1980 to Sharon Battaglia in Portland, Oregon.

Early in her life she was raised by her mother and great-grandparents, Frank & Violet Battaglia,

on their Gresham farm off Division Street. In 1987, Sharon met Michael Alexander, a father

himself of three girls. They wed on January 29, 1989 and shortly after, Mike had the honor of

adopting Beth, and forever after, was Dad.

After moving to Troutdale, Beth attended Sweetbriar Elementary, then Reynolds Middle School.

She excelled at sports and academics, and with her sparkling presence and infectious smile,

was always near the center of social activity. After moving to Gresham for high school, Beth had

a successful volleyball career, where she formed some of her closest lifelong friendships. She

earned an All Conference Honorable Mention, and helped the team go to state in her junior and

senior years.

After graduation, she attended Mt. Hood Community College where she was on the conference

champion volleyball team, then she finished her Bachelors degree at Western Oregon University.

Beth truly found her calling teaching young children. She began her work as a kindergarten

teacher in 2003 with the Gresham-Barlow School District, while earning her Masters in

Education from Concordia, then later switched to fourth grade. All together, she spent two

decades teaching for Gresham-Barlow, and was beloved by students, parents and fellow

teachers.

Naturally, she combined her love of education with her passion for volleyball, and began

coaching as an assistant at Concordia, then later coached at Gresham high school, club

volleyball, and Baby Gopher camp.

In 2007 Elizabeth married her love Rick Blake, a Gresham Police Officer. Beth was a loving and

devoted mother to their three children: Ashlynn (13), Avery (12), and Preston (10). They divorced

in 2021, but remained partners in raising their children in the Gresham area.

Beth was loved by everyone who met her because of her welcoming generous spirit. Her legacy

will forever endure as she was a shining light who touched and guided many lives. She loved her

children fiercely, made countless friends, and was passionate about her students’ education.

She was close with many family members, as a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and aunt, but

had a particularly tight bond with her mother, Sharon.

Elizabeth is survived by her mother and father Sharon and Mike Alexander, her partner Rick, her

sisters Brandi, Sara and Jayme, her children, Ashlynn, Avery and Preston, and several nieces and

nephews. A service will be held at Rise City Church - 1220 NE Kelly Avenue in Gresham on

Saturday, June 4th at 2pm. There will be a viewing available at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home -

520 W Powell Blvd. Friday, June 3rd from 1:30-4:30.

Link to memorial video

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jftqp55m69hj17w/In%20Loving%20Memory.mp4?dl=0

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the Alexander family.