Nellie Joan Alexander

Nellie Joan Alexander, 92, of Houstonia, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Bothwell Regional Health Center.

She was born June 6, 1932, in rural Blackwater, a daughter of the late Will and Mabel Sue (Harvey) Dial. On June 10, 1950, in Kaiser, MO, she married Wilbur “Bud” Alexander, and they resided in rural Houstonia all their married life of 74 years.

Joan was a 1950 graduate of Houstonia High School.

Joan loved the Lord and was baptized at a Brush Arbor revival at Range Line Presbyterian Church where she was a longtime active member and she served many positions.

Joan was an excellent homemaker, wonderful wife and mother, fantastic grandmother and great-grandmother. She excelled in genealogy research tracing her family and Bud’s family back to other countries. She was a member of the Extension Club, a leader for the 4-H Club, and taught Sunday School to little children for over 40 years. She enjoyed making quilts, and sewed wedding dresses and made wedding cakes. Joan also kept up with Bud’s many ballgames, keeping score and keeping everyone organized, working behind the scenes. Joan loved to read, so she was rarely without a book. However, her greatest loves were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved nothing more than to hear about them and go to their activities.

Survivors include her husband, Wilbur “Bud” Alexander; her children, Vicky Saylor (Terry), Becky Reid (fiancé Russ Zimmerman), all of Sweet Springs, Ricky Alexander (Tosha), of Concordia, Tony Alexander (Jennifer), of Houstonia; son-in-law, Larry McDonald, of Lake of the Ozarks; 15 grandchildren, Casey Baker (Kyle), Deven McDonald (Mandy), Troy Saylor, Stacy Marlin (Chris), Travis Reid (Whitney), Nathan Reid (Bethany), Chantry Alexander, Jodie Akers (Steven), Emmett Paul Alexander, Will Alexander (Lynn), Cole Alexander (Destiny), Caitlin Alexander, Tiffany Edwards (Jordan), Kasey Elling and Breanna Elling; 22 great-grandchildren, Nolan, Reece, and Mason Baker, Ailyn McDonald, Hayleigh Mattes (Bryce), Kendall and Elijah Marlin, Easton, Emerson, Alaythia, Eliyanah, Micah, and Ava Reid, Conn Alexander, Jasper Parker, Felicity and Corben Akers, Charlotte Rose and Lincoln Alexander, Asher Huddleston, Oaklynn and Hudson Reade; and two more coming in May; and sisters-in-law, Elsie Simmons and Helen Pummill.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy McDonald; her parents; sister, Mary Sue Jefferies; and two brothers, William Paul Dial and James Eugene Dial.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Heckart Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 am with Rev. Pam Sebastian officiating.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Troy Saylor, Deven McDonald, Travis Reid, Nathan Reid, Chantry Alexander, Will Alexander, Cole Alexander, and Emmett Paul Alexander.

Burial will be in Miller’s Chapel Cemetery in rural Pettis County.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Show Me Christian Youth Home or Range Line Presbyterian Church in care of Heckart Funeral Home.