On Friday, September 1, 2017, Barbara Elaine Johnson Alexander peacefully went on to be with Jesus before the midnight hour. Barbara was born on October 10, 1944, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents Alice A. Johnson Smith and Percy Lee Smith of the Huntersville section. On July 2, 2017, she celebrated her 51st wedding anniversary with life-long partner Rev. Dr. E. Curtis Alexander. Barbara is survived by her children Edward Curtis Kwame Alexander II (Stephanie), Sia Alexander Brume’, Nataki F. Alexander-Hewling (Bally), and Ade Kwaku A. T. Alexander III. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nandi (Monet), Samayah, Ndali, Mehki and Jordan, her brother Melvin D. Johnson, Sr. (Gloria), her uncle Robert Johnson (Alberta), her cousins Vivian Stokes and Mildred Corprew, her sisters-in-law Ruth Lewis and Barbara Hawkins, her nephew Kelvin Hawkins, and a host of precious cousins, nieces, nephews, and so many friends who received the generosity and love she so willingly shared. Her early education was received at John T. West Elementary School, Jaycox Junior High School and graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School in 1962. In pursuit of higher education, she went on to graduate from the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College in 1966 and Teachers College Columbia University in 1968 with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Business Education respectively. During her graduate and Post-graduate studies, she was inducted into Pi Lambda Theta, Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa honor societies. A 50-year career as an educator and internationally-recognized African heritage folklorist and storyteller included work at such distinguished institutions as Teachers College Columbia University, New York City Community College, Brooklyn Center-State University of New York (SUNY), Barber-Scotia College (N.C.), College of the Albemarle (N.C.), Tidewater Community College, Head Start, and Children's Literacy Initiative. Barbara was the author of two children's books: My Kwanzaa Workbook and Papa’s Penny Party. She ended her career as a Teacher Trainer with the Norfolk Public School System. Barbara was a dedicated life-long member of New Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, where she served as church administrator, founding principal of the Ruth Nelson Cook Academy, and Teacher Trainer at the New Calvary Kiddie College, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Milton A. Reid. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 8, 2017, 12 noon, at the New Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA, Rev. Dr. William Marcus Small officiating. A reception at the church will follow an Ashes Committal Ceremony at Calvary Cemetery on 1600 St. Julian Avenue in Norfolk. After the reception, family and friends will gather for a second Memorial Ceremony at the Sgt. March Corprew Family Memorial Cemetery, located at 1001 Bells Mill Road, Chesapeake 23322. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Barbara E. Johnson Alexander Scholarship Fund c/o New Calvary Baptist Church, 800 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. VA. The family has entrusted Graves Funeral Home to handle the final care arrangements.

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