Virginia Brown Alexander


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Jan 12th, 2012

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  • Death Date: Jan 12, 2012

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Biography: Virginia Brown Alexander, age 105, of Little Rock died January 12, 2012. She was born January 7, 1907, in Scott, Arkansas to Otelia George and Arthur Lee Alexander. Her Maternal ancestors, the Georges, emigrated from Kestlebach, Germany in the 1840?s and were prominent in the early development of Little Rock. The Alexanders came from Asheville, North Carolina in the late 1890?s to farm cotton and raise cattle. Her paternal grandmother was a Davidson. Davidson College was named for the family. Virginia was born and raised in her family home at Scott, Arkansas, Illallee, built in 1840 by Chester Ashley. A graduate of Hillside Preparatory School, Norwalk, Conn. And Iowa State College, Virginia was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, President of Women?s Athletic Association, tapped for Mortar Board, and a Pi Beta Phi. She was the first woman editor of her college?s yearbook. Virginia worked in New York City for the Episcopal Church until 1928 when she married Gordon Barr Brown in The Little Church Around the Corner. They lived in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and raised their family until she moved back to Arkansas. Her second marriage was to Robert Alexander of Land?s End at Scott. In addition to her husband, Virginia was predeceased by her siblings, Wm. George, Arthur Lee Alexander Jr., Marion Hawkins and Louie Sanford. Survivors are her children, Joan Brown Dietz, George Alexander Brown, Virginia Brown Davis and stepson, James Robert Alexander (Susan). Her grandchildren are Ellen (Bill) Burnett of Boston MA, Eadie (Mike) Ferretti of Charlotte, NC, Elise Siegler and Peter (Kris) Alexander of Little Rock, Arthur Watkins of Little Rock, Katie (Peter) Sanford of Lonsdale, AR and Gigi (Mark) Buhrow of Hot Springs. Her great grandchildren are John and Laura Virginia Burnett, Peter and Michael Ferretti, Jim and Alex Siegler; Sean, Thomas, charlotte and Olivia Alexander; Caroline, Hallie, Maggie, Ginny, and Julyava Davis; Ross and Ben Buhrow. Virginia?s niece Sissy Cox of Little Rock and nephews Martin Hawkins of Searcy and Dr. Alex Sanford of Memphis. Virginia?s life was characterized by energy, enthusiasm and eclectic interests. She mastered golf at the Country Club of Little Rock and later became the Western Canadian Golf Champion. She took her horses to Camp Quachita to teach horseback riding. She and a long time friend, Faye Templeton Brewer, started a medical clinic at Scott. After WWII she was instrumental in developing ?specialty ? produce? gardening with five Japanese ?American families who had come from the Rowher internment camp. Virginia loved people. She was hostess for her brother George Alexander?s duck club, Kingdom Come at Stuttgart. Virginia and her husband Bob were known for their entertaining at Land?s End. She donated land to the Scott Plantation Settlement whose mission is to preserve the history of the regions? agrarian life. A passionate gardener, she was a member of the Little Rock Garden Club, the Herb Society, and was a Master Gardener. The Alexander-Butler Rose Garden, adjacent to the Pulaski County Court House, was named for Virginia and her friend Gertie Butler. Virginia was also honored with The National Garden Club of America Medal of Merit Award. Combining her love for church and herbs she designed and planted the Biblical Herb Garden featuring herbs of the Bible. Although a lifelong Episcopalian, her greatest commitment was to Scott?s interdenominational church, All Souls, built the year she was born. Her parents were among the early founders of All Souls Church and each Sunday morning she could be found seated on the front pew. In later years a small down comforter awaited her arrival. Virginia had an especially large following of stray cats that she fed daily not to mention her dogs and early on, her horses. She was a woman who loved her Creator, her family, the land and her friends. When asked about her longevity, she credited it to the three ?A?s?; attitude, activity, and (with a twinkle in her eye) apple juice, ?slightly fermented?. A visitation will be from 5 to 630 p.m. Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Ruebel Funeral Home. Interment will be held in Mount Holly Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012, followed by a memorial service in All Souls Church, Scott, AR, at 1130 a.m. Virginia?s grandsons and great grandsons will serve as pall bearers. The Reverend Gerry Claybrook and The Reverend Len Griffen will officiate. A reception will follow in Eyrie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All Souls Church, The Scott Connections Foundation Fund, PO Box 214 Scott, AR 72142, The Little Rock Garden Club, Mount Holly Cemetery or a favorite charity. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(18)
Matthew Hawkins
#18
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Virginia was larger than life itself, and she will always be one of the most remarkable people I've ever known. She was my grandmother's baby sister, and although I lost my grandmother very early in my life, Virginia was a living reminder of her love for me.
Shirli Hall Roberts and Barbara Roberts McWhirter
#17
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
It is with sadness that we hear of Miss Virginia's passing. She was an amazing woman and I'll never forget her kindness to our family. She taught me all I know about horses. My condolences to the families.
With fond memories,
Barbara McWhirter
Munsie Davis
#16
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Joan -
I just heard the news about your mother and wanted to share with you how much I always enjoyed her company. She had a great sense of humor and approached life with such enthusiasm, there was no way to feel blue when she was with you. She always made me feel at home when I was in Scott helping Mom with her land. I am very grateful for that. I'm sure I'm not the only one that will miss her but I'm glad to see her memory is carried on.
Warmly,
Munsie
Katy and Ian McCormick
#15
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Joan, Bitsy & George and all your family
Please accept our condolences from "across the pond" in England. My brother has told me what an amazing woman your mother was, and I can tell that must be true from the amazing children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom we met at our lovely reunion in Little Rock last year.
Our thoughts are with you all,
Love
Katy and Ian
Donna, Rick, and Lou Colclasure
#14
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Mrs. Alexander was a great friend to my family. She will be greatly missed by so many people who's lives she touched in the most wonderful way. She encouraged me always to persevere and my mother to be couragious in having a business of her own. She touched my brother's life through the church at Scott and was a dear friend to us all. I still have the letter she wrote me after my father died telling me what a wonderful man he was and I cherish it. My family is so grateful to have had her in our lives.
Sharon Pegg
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Melanie Holderfield Moore
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
What an example Miss Virginia set for us to follow to and to make the most of our lives. She was an example for the rest of us to make life happen, don't just sit by the sidelines. She was a precious lady and I will uphold the family in prayer for them to recieve a peace that surpasses understanding.
Dan and Vivian Blair
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Our prayers are with you.
Sandy Hubler
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
George and family,
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. George, I have only had the opportunity of knowing you for the last three months and never met your mother. You have spoken of her several times since I have met you. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Sandy Hubler
The Showroom
Ann Croft
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
What an active and amazing woman. I was especially proud of her work and dedication to the rose garden at the Pulaski County Court House and the Scott Plantation. The list could go on--. God speed Miss Virginia.
Bill and Suzy Cotham
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Margaret Scott Craig
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
She was truly a wonderful lady and will be deeply
missed by many.
Jonelle Scott Jones
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Ms. Virgina, you will be missed by many. She is probably the last of the 'True Ladies' from one of the Old Plantation Families.
Every time I would see her, she would say "let me see those eyes" and then she'd say 'just like looking at your Daddy (John W Scott, Jr)...you have his eyes'...I can hear her saying it right now.

Scott, AR was blessed to have her as part of their community.

R.I.P. Ms. Virginia!
Rick, Holland and Cara Colclasure
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Allan Reagan
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was my good fortune to first meet Miss Virginia (my mother's second cousin, of whom I'd heard many stories growing up) back in late 2002 (when she was still driving her Mercedes) and then be invited to her 100th at All Souls in January 2007. What a truly extraordinary and remarkable life this woman led. To her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren I send sincere condolences but at the same time best wishes that you have a joyous celebration of an amzing person and an incredible life journey.
Linda Goza, Plantation Agriculture Museum
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
The staff at Plantation Agriculture Museum wishes to express our deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Alexander. Her vast knowledge of the Scott area and farming operations along with her willingness to share has been valued each and every day here.
Pete and Kris Alexander and Family
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
jim & jill averitt
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

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