A life well lived is a precious gift of hope, strength and grace from someone who
has made our world a brighter place. It's filled with moments sweet and sad,
with smiles and sometimes tears; and with friendships formed and good times
shared and laughter through the years. A life well lived is a legacy of joy, pride,
hope, and praise. It's a loving, lasting memory our grateful hearts will always
treasure.

Bro. Ivory Alexander, Sr. was called to his heavenly reward on July 4, 2019 in
Conroe, Texas (St. Joseph Hospice Home). He was the eighth of nine children.
He was born on November 23, 1922 to the late Zacharia, Sr. and Josephine Wilson
Alexander.

Ivory was baptized at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church at a very young
age and was a lifelong member. He participated in and held offices in the
church throughout his lifetime; namely the Trustee and Steward Boards. He
supported the Young People Department and was a member of the Pastor's Aide
Committee and Sons of Allen Ministry.

He received his formal education from Second Ward High School. On October I,
1941, Ivory enlisted in the United States. During his four-year stint, he served in
World War II as a cook and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant as a military police
officer. As musically inclined as he was, he became a member of the United
States Military Band playing what he played best ... the saxophone.

Upon his return, he married his high school sweetheart, the late, Marian Jackson;
to this union his first born, Ivory, Jr. was born. He later met and married Helen
Marie Williams; and to this union a second son Michael Jerome and only
daughter, Vanessa Kay (his princess) were born.

Ivory's passion for big band music led him to pursue a career in music; including
his own band ... the Ivory Alexander Orchestra (this was between the late 40's and
early 50's). Being a former musician, his love for music led him to a career in radio. He worked for stations in San Francisco, Jennings, and Lake Charles, He became the first African American disc jockey in Louisiana; and he entertained for 20+ years.

For many years, he hosted the popular Ivory Alexander Jazz Rhythm and Blues
Show on KPLC and KAOK Radio Stations here in Lake Charles, Louisiana. During his
career on the airways, Ivory interviewed notable celebrities such as Duke
Ellington, B.B. King, Billy Eckstein; also, the bands of Andy Kirk, Bobby Blue Bland
and many others.

On Sunday mornings, he presented the Religious Gem featuring the Gospel Era.
He interviewed personalities such as Mahalia Jackson, Marie Knight, the Angelic
Gospel Singers and many others.

Ivory continued serving in the community, in 1969, he was commissioned as a
Deputy Sheriff with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Department. During his 18
years tenure, he served as a jailer, youth director of the Jr. Deputy Program (in
which he mentored many children. His later years as a Deputy Sheriff, he served
as a funeral escort.

Upon retiring from the Sheriffs Department, Ivory became the director of the
Drug Elimination Program (sponsored by the City of Lake Charles); in this capacity,
he was a drug educator servicing local schools, communities, and churches. This
position allowed him to share his testimony of tobacco abuse. which lead to his
once throat cancer, many years ago.

Ivory is survived by his two sons: Ivory (Monk) and Michael Alexander; seven
grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by the by his
parents; seven siblings; former wife, Marion; and his wife, Helen; and daughter,
Vanessa.