Born on August 30, 1927 in Lenoir, NC to Thomas Watkins, Sr. and Mavis Goodman Alexander, Tommy grew up in Augusta and then Macon, GA. After graduating from Sidney Lanier High School in 1945, Tommy joined the US Navy and fought the last two years of WW II in the Pacific theater. When he returned home, he went to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After graduating, he met and married Eleanor Sammons and joined his mother in her insurance business. He subsequently became a realtor and was a partner in Patton-Alexander Realty, then Alexander-Frost Real Estate Company. He was active in the community as a member of the Macon Jaycees, Lions Club, and Elks Club, also becoming president of the Macon Jaycees and the Macon MLS. He was a member of Vineville Presbyterian Church (now Strong Tower) for most of his life, then First Presbyterian Church. Tommy and Eleanor were married 31 years and had three daughters together. Tommy was a wonderful husband and father, teaching the girls the value of family…and football. Lots of football. We all have fond memories of our Daddy. Too many to share here. Sadly, Eleanor passed away in 1982 after a brief battle with cancer.
Tommy married Anne Covington Patton in 1983. With Anne’s five children, the little family more than doubled. Tommy and Anne’s family grew by leaps and bounds as the kids married and had children. Many a Christmas and Thanksgiving were shared in a packed Alexander house, with bedrooms, sofas and floors filled with children, and grandchildren. Those were some of the sweetest years, as the blended family and cousin bonds grew ever stronger. As the grandkids grew older, and more adept at sports, the Turkey Bowl became quite the event at Thanksgiving. There were a few cuts, scrapes, sprains and dare I say, broken ribs, but fun was still had by all. Afterwards, with the guest list at over 60, lunch was moved to the church fellowship hall. Tommy was married to Anne for 28 years until she passed away in 2011.
After Anne’s death, Tommy lived at Pinegate Senior Living for 10 years, making new friends, playing as much golf as he could, and re-kindling a love for writing through a creative writing class offered there. He actually published a book filled with stories and musings he wrote in that class. It has been a treasure to his children to get a glimpse into their daddy’s past and see his quirky sense of humor in print. When Tommy’s health began to fail, he moved in with his middle daughter, Mary Clare Freel, and her family, where he lived until his death.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Eleanor Sammons Alexander, and his second wife, Anne Covington Patton Alexander. He is survived by one sister, Margery Alexander Bouris (Bill), his children, Beth Alexander Dobbins (Randy), Marion, NC, Mary Clare Alexander Freel (Eric), Macon, GA, and Eleanor Alexander Lilly (Chet), Dunwoody, GA., and his five stepchildren, Marianna Patton Hudspeth, Greensboro, GA., Judy Patton Roberts (Leigh), Madison, GA., Robert C. Patton (Cornealia), Greensboro, GA, Rev. H. Thomas Patton lll (Diana), Birmingham, AL., Patrick C. Patton (Lisa), Macon, GA., one nephew, Basil Bouris (Lana), and two great nephews. He also leaves behind 21 grandchildren and 28 and counting great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 PM Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be private in Riverside Cemetery. Rev. John Kinser will officiate.
Flowers are appreciated, but donations may be made to the Missions Fund of First Presbyterian Church in Macon, GA, Covenant Academy Christian School in Macon, or the charity of your choice.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.
Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.
