Eleanor Huske Alexander

June 23, 2021

CHARLOTTE- Eleanor Huske Alexander, 93, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Charlotte, NC.   Born July 6, 1927 to the Rev. Marion S. Huske and Elizabeth Cox Lord of Reidsville, NC, Eleanor was a 1948 graduate of Queens College where she served as president of the student government and was salutatorian.  She remained loyal to Queens as life president of her class and was awarded the Alumni Service Award in 1998.  

In 1948, Eleanor married James Porter Alexander, and after years in Philadelphia, Richmond, and Chapel Hill for his medical training, they settled in Charlotte where they reared their six children.  Eleanor was an accomplished pianist and soprano as well as possessed a strong intellectual curiosity.  A woman of deep faith, she served as an elder, a choir member, and Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian Church. Eleanor was involved in a numerous local and national social justice organizations and helped to resettle Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees in Charlotte. A special interest of Eleanor’s was the hospital and nursing school in Leogane, Haiti, which had been established, in part, by her father.  One of the highlights of her retirement years was a visit to medical missions and orphanages in Haiti. In their later years, Eleanor and Jim travelled extensively and enjoyed hosting their family, especially the grandchildren, for holidays and summer pool parties.   

She was predeceased by her husband of fifty years and is survived by her children: Eleanor Alexander and her husband, Lewis Galloway, James Alexander and his wife, Robin Curtis, Elizabeth Youngblood and her husband, Joel, Frances Alexander; Mary Edith Alexander; and Sandy Alexander and his wife, Tabitha.  In addition, Eleanor is survived by a daughter-in-law, Jane Kaney, fourteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sharon Towers and hospice for their compassionate care.  For those wishing to honor Eleanor’s memory, please consider a gift to First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 or Family Health Ministries (Haiti), PO Box 16783, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 or Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. The link to view the service livestream is: https://www.firstpres-charlotte.org/funerals/.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Kathryn Garrison

    I have had some health issues so could not see you yesterday. to help to celebrate her life.

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  • Kathryn Garrison

    Hi Alexander family. Was so sorry to hear of Mrs. Alexanders passing but thankful she is in her heavenly home. What can I say about wonderful, dear Mrs. A that has not already been said. She has always been an inspiration to me. Her gift and ability to make so many of us feel right at home whenever I saw her at the store or literally in her home was truly amazing. Her kindness and memories of her warm embrace I have thought of through the years. I could not tell you the number of times I ate chicken noodle or tomato soup with PB&J sandwiches with Frances while listening to Mrs.A asking some questions but also sharing a story or two making me laugh and feel apart of your family. You all have a wonderful sense of humor and what a Blessing to have a Mom that shared in all the laughter. I remember your Moms hands and the way they were forever busy whether standing at the kitchen sink rinsing dishes or sitting at the family room table in a quiet moment with her bible studying and reading..I walked in to use the restroom at such a moment one time and she was as always her loving, kind self. Asking me how I was and I confided in her several times because I trusted her. I think that is what we all feel about your Mom. She was wise and knew how to ask the right questions to pull whatever problem or emotion inside to the surface without judgement or blame. I can never say enough about how she influenced me from her wonderful views of women's issues, her perseverance through her orthopedic issues, the way she looked at you, her children, with so much pride and love. It was so obvious to me even at my young age. I have known a few truly genuinely strong women who never lost their ability to love unconditionally and Mrs. A is right in there with them. She is a selfless light that walked and still walks among us in memory. I am grateful to have known her. Love you dear Alexander family. Peace and many prayers as you grieve the loss of your sweet Mom. .

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  • Pam Fowler

    My deepest sympathy to the family I worked years ago at medical pharmacy I knew your mother and dad my prayers are with all of you

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  • Pender McElroy

    Kathy and I send to Eleanor's family our deepest sympathy. Eleanor was such a wonderful person. She was unfailingly kind and gracious. She was stalwart member of First Presbyterian. She and Jim raised a fine family. I will always remember when Sandy and my son, Ted, got lost at Montreat. Eleanor and I climbed the mountain in search of them. She will be greatly missed.

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