MERIDIAN —     Services for Ida Mae (James) Alexander will be held today, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Providence Baptist Church located West of Suqualena with Rev. Jackie Strebeck officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

    Ms. Alexander, age 96, of Meridian, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 with her family by her side. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her Savior and her church, Providence Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member for 79 years. She served as a Sunday school teacher and was a Vacation Bible School leader for all of her adult life. She married her first love, Odis Alexander at the age of 17. Odis went to be with the Lord on March 11, 1980.

    Survivors include her children, Gerald M. Alexander (Rita) of Meridian, Miss., Janelle Feingold (Abe) of Orange Beach, Ala., Jimmy Alexander (Ann) of Meridian,  Robert Alexander (Joyce) of Chunky, Miss., Melba McGee (Steve) of Little Rock, Miss.,  Glenda Todd (James) of Quitman, Miss., Ralph Alexander of Bellamy, Ala.; Adra Alexander of Meridian; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren.

    She was preceded in death by her husband, Amos Odis Alexander; parents, David Benjamin James and Myrtle (Capes) James; brothers Tommy, Otis, and Harold James; sisters, Leola and Helen; and one grandson, Travis Crabtree.

    The family request in lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Little Rock, MS 39337, American Cancer Society, or your favorite charity.    Pallbearers will be Mike Alexander, Ken Crabtree, Randy Sharman, Layne Alexander, Stephen McMullan, John Todd, and Jeremy Alexander.

    Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Providence Baptist Church.

    Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamfamilyfh.com.

    Visitation was held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.