Rose Alexander

A Celebration of Life for Rose Alexander will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Baldwin, La.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 8:00 A.M. until the commencement of the celebration at Trinity United Methodist Church in Baldwin, La.

Rose will be interred at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery in Baldwin, La.

Rose Alexander, affectionately known as "Mama Rose", to friends and family was 86 years old upon her blessed departed at home with her family by her side, on February 7, 2023.

Rose was born in Baldwin, Louisiana, on July 20, 1936, to Durrell "Neg" Derbigney and Dorothy "Rosa" Dixon Derbigney. She was the middle child of six children – Marian D. Jackson (Earl), Durrell Derbigney (Dezerline), Felix Cerf (Jenny); Lester Levine; Kenny McDaniel. Marian, Durrell, and Felix proceeded her in death.

Rose attended Sager Brown for elementary school and graduated from Franklin Negro High School in 1956.  Rose married Luther Ray Alexander, her high school sweetheart, of Baldwin, Louisiana in 1957.  Their union was blessed for 66 years. Shortly after the couple was married, they left home and settled in the big city of Brooklyn, New York in 1959 where they raised their three daughters. Throughout her time in New York, Rose was also blessed with some of her dearest lifelong friends as well.

While living in New York, Rose was employed as a Master Seamstress at Starlet Sewing Factory for ten years. She was passionate about sewing! Rose took the time to make her daughters beautiful outfits that had to be just right, and she enjoyed teaching her family and friends how to sew as well.

When Starlet Sewing Factory closed in 1980, Rose took interest in a new skill. She attended Helen Keller's Training Academy where she learned American Sign Language and how to read Braille. Next, she went on to become a Mental Therapy Aid at Brooklyn Developmental Center where she cared for the deaf and blind for 16 years until she retired in 2000. In 2002, Rose and Luther decided to move back to their small hometown of Baldwin, Louisiana where she became an active member of The Eastern Stars, and a long-time member of Trinity Methodist Church. She remained a faithful and devoted member until her passing.

In Rose's spare time she loved traveling, and she made many great memorable moments traveling every summer with her children and grandchildren. Rose also enjoyed cooking. She was an excellent cook! Her holiday meals were superb. Anyone that ate her candies yams would agree that they were the best candied yams they've ever tasted.

Rose was a tough, proud, and spirited women who said what she meant and meant what she said. She will be most remembered for being a loving person and devoted mother and grandmother. Her family was the light of her life and she not only took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren but also in the lives of her nieces and nephews. She cared for everyone and always enjoyed sharing her advice on life.

Mama Rose was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She touched the lives of so many people and for that she will truly be missed and never, ever, be forgotten. May her legacy of love carry on and her traditions and heritage continue.

Rose is survived by her husband, Luther "Pop" Ray Alexander, two daughters, Dorothy Thomas Barlow and Albertha "Nicky" Alexander (Darrell), and one son, Lonique Alexander.  She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Lai-Kee Thomas, Shaquana Ina (J), Jasmine Alexander, Alexander Richards, Josephine Alexander, Emily Alexander, My'rcle Alexander, Ramona Alexander, Melinda Marion, Melissa Marion, and Teresa Lopez. She is also survived by sixteen great-great-grandchildren, and four great-great-great-grandchildren. Rose is also survived by her best friend, Charlotte Jones (Robert), and a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and beloved pets.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Durrell and Dorothy; her siblings, Marion, Durrell, and Felix; her second-oldest daughter Monica Alexander; her best friend, Bernice Bernie; and favorite aunt, Essie Mae Jones.

Final arrangements have been entrusted by MK Dixon Funeral Home, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, LA 70514.