Rev. Dr. Perry L. Alexander

“For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel!”                      1 Corinthian 9:16 KJV

Rev. Dr. Perry Alexander believed those words and made every efford to put those words into actions throughout his life.

Rev. Perry Alexander was born in rural Arkansas as the third oldest son to the late Mrs. Nannie L. (Dupriest) Alexander and the late Rev. W.C. Theodore Alexander on September 19, 1940 at home in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas.

Rev. Perry Alexander accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of nine and was baptized by his Father.  He became a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church at Mt. Vernon Arkansas, under the pastorate of the late Rev. W. C. Jones and remained a member until 1980.

Rev. Alexander was educated through the Arkansas educational system and graduated from White County Training School.  After which, he began his college studies at Philander Smith College  in Little Rock, Arkansas and later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting in May, 1980  at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island.   In the spring of 1991, he began his ministerial studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where in 1995; he earned a Master Degree in Christian Education.  In January 2000, he earned the Master of Divinity Degree (MDiv) in Pastoral Studies and his Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Complex Urban Ministry on May 10, 2003 from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

In 1980, Rev. Alexander joined the Olney Street Baptist Church under the Pastorate of Rev. Cornelus  Williams.  Later that year, he served on the Pulpit Search Committee which led to the pastorate of Rev. Michael C. Turner. He also became a Walking Deacon under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Michael C. Turner.

Rev. Alexander was ordained as a Deacon in 1982, serving that office for ten years. As a Deacon, he served as Deacon Board Treasurer and Secretary.  He also served as the Church Assistant Treasurer and four years as Church Treasurer.

In September, 1989, Rev. Alexander received his call to the Gospel Ministry and was ordained by the Olney Street Baptist Church in February 2001 by Rev. Dr. H. Lincoln Oliver and assisted the Pastor in pastoral duties.  During his Ministry, he also provided  the serves of an interim pastor for over a year and a half.  He also served as new member class leader and teacher along with being appointed and served as the Church Leadership Retreat Coordinator for many years, and chaired the building fund committee.   Rev. Alexander also led focus groups to develop, increase, and enhance church ministries, ie mission statements, by-law revisions and developing financial audits for churches. Rev. Alexander was often called into service by other Pastors to fill their Pulpit while away from their church.  Rev. Alexander remained an active member until March, 2009 when he received a call from First Baptist Church of Lonsdale to serve as Pastor.  Rev. Alexander was installed as the Pastor on October 3, 2010. Later Rev. Alexander worshipped frequently with Union Baptist Church and St. James Baptist Church.   Finally joining St. James Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Sammy Vaughn  where he served as Associate Minister.

Rev. Alexander was also involved in bringing the church into the community.  Since  2003, he  has served on may committees for The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (ABCORI).  He has served on the (S&A) Stewardship and Administration Committee, the Investment Committee, and the Operation Committee.  He has served as treasurer of The RI Baptist Fund, ABCORI’s staff as Assistant Treasurer as well as ABCORI’s Treasurer.  He was also an avid  bowler.  He joined the Olney Street Bowling League in 1980, ten years later he was  still bowling and had won several championship.

Rev. Alexander is a former Department of Defense Employee in Boston Mass., where he worked in the position of senior auditor until he took an early retirement in Feb. 2002 spending more than 16 year in Civil Service.  He is also a US Navy Vietnam Veteran  and received an Honorable Discharge after 4 years.

Rev. Alexander married Elizabeth (Elzy) Alexander was joined in Holy matrimony by his father along with the assistance of Rev. Dr. Michael C. Turner in Damascus, Arkansas  August 8, 1982.  To this union was born two daughters Erika Elizabeth Alexander, PhD is 35 years old  and Erin Elisa Alexander, B.A. in Psychology  and a B.S. in Chemical Dependency and Addiction Studies is 30 years old

Rev. Alexander leaves behind a loving and devoted wife, Elizabeth, 2 daughters, Erika Alexander Brown (Michael) and Erin Alexander Edwards (Christon), and one granddaughter, Averi Grace Brown, 20 months whom he called “Sugarfoot”.  He also leaves behind  2 sisters, Velma Counts of Charlotte, North Carolina; Gladys Harris (Lonnie) of Conway, Arkansas; 2 brothers Theodas Alexander (Lela) of Springfield, Arkansas; Rev. Larry Alexander (Lenora) of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

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