Eleanor Briggs Alexander
Eleanor Briggs Alexander, 90, of Beaumont, died Monday January 1, 2024. She was born in March of 1933 in Beaumont, Texas to Dorothy Smith and Albert Fitch Briggs Sr.
She always had her rose-colored glasses on! The glass was always half full! And her love flowed effortlessly to all! To know her was to have felt her open trust in the world and all that inhabited it.
Eleanor was a wonderful wife and mother, married 68 years to Rev. John K. Alexander. She always had a smiling face and an open helping hand for everyone and was a great lover of music.
Eleanor and her parents were charter members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church where she was a ruling elder, director of the church blood drive and active in Presbyterian Women.
Eleanor earned a BA in Sociology in her twenties and became a Registered Nurse in the late seventies to help put her children through college. As an RN she loved working in the Baby Nursery at Clear Lake Hospital and found a calling supervising home healthcare for indigent patients in a state program. In every city she lived in she was always a volunteer involved in some kind of helping services.
Music was her great interest, having learned piano and voice as she was growing up; teaching herself the acoustic guitar so she could play around the campfire for girl scouting events and for her family. She and her husband met in the Austin College Acapella Choir and later sang in multiple symphony chorales together. She was the choir director at the First Presbyterian Church in Rosenberg for eight years and played piano/organ in multiple churches throughout her life. In retirement, she was on the Board of the Beaumont Music Commission.
Survivors include husband John; children Paul, Jean and her husband Joseph, Bruce and his wife Anna; grandchildren Judah, Joshua and extended family; brother Robert; and numerous other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her baby daughter Elaine; parents Dorothy and Fitch; brother Albert; baby granddaughter Elaine and daughters-in-law Valerie and Connie.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 N. 23rd St, Beaumont, Texas 77706, or non-profit organization Some Other Place, P.O. Box 0843, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
A reception will be held at 1:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 N. 23rd St. Beaumont. Cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
John and Paul, the world grieves with you at the loss of such a fine lady. Eleanor consistently made admirable choices that were other-centered. I saw that especially as she visited Federal prisoners each month. She cared for them and befriended them without judging them for being convicted felons — exactly the kind of person PVS seeks to recruit — and I was proud of her for the lives she influenced in that role.
Paul, so sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. Praying for you and your family.
Barbara
Dona and I will always remember her warm smile and her loving heart.
Many sweet memories of dear Eleanor stretching over decades. She was so supportive and encouraging, indefatigably so. I am grateful to God for her life, love, and witness. Resurrection hope and peace to John and Paul and all of her family. Howard
My deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the loss of the dearest lady, Eleanor . I had the privilege and honor to take care of Eleanor since 1998! I loved her so much and always looked forward to seeing her in the office . We always had wonderful discussions about literally everything from our families to world issues . I’m going to miss her and already do . May her memory always be a blessing !! Rest in peace fair lady !!
Much love to you all it was a great pleasure knowing her and all the family.