Lorraine Mae Johnson Alexander, 90, passed away Friday, November 4, 2022, in Fenton, MO.

Lorraine, daughter of Knute Valdimar Johnson and wife Jenny Sophia Carolina (Lindberg), was born on November 18, 1931. She was the second of seven children born to Knute and Jenny. She was born at home in a two-room house that later became known as the "Old Place" located on the banks of Bear Creek, down a beautiful wooded dirt road, five miles outside Sandstone, Minnesota, surrounded by birch trees, poplars, blueberry bushes, a swamp or two (they call them lakes in Minnesota) and a few thousand mosquitos per square foot. Childhood stories abound about deep snow, one-room schoolhouses, and adventures with her six siblings.

On August 24, 1956, she was united in marriage to Paul Harrison Alexander in Sandstone, Minnesota. In June 1958, after Paul graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where Paul served as the senior pastor until they "retired" 43 years later in June 2001. During their time in Huntsville, Lorraine served as a faithful, loving mother to her four children; a faithful pastor's wife who loved and encouraged those God put in her path, and showed welcoming hospitality, occasionally adding many places to the table with very little notice and sometimes very little in the pantry.

After graduating from Columbia Bible College in 1954, Lorraine taught in the public schools for a few years. Later, after having children, she taught for 23 years at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, Alabama, concluding her teaching career as Director of the Remedial Program.

When Paul and Lorraine retired from Westminster Presbyterian Church in June 2001, they moved to Odessa, Ukraine, where Lorraine served alongside Paul for four years. (Because of a serious health issue, she could not be with Paul during most of his next seven years when he traveled to Ukraine periodically.) In Ukraine, they made lasting friendships. Lorraine's heart remained with the people of Ukraine up until the last days of her life. Despite her failing health and eyesight, she asked someone to read her the daily emails from Lyuda Betina from Belgorod Dnestrovsky, Ukraine, in which Lyuda reported both the sorrows of the war and the ongoing work of God in the Ukrainian people's lives.

Lorraine was a faithful child of God who communicated His love to those around her in tangible ways, who prayed fervently for her children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends, and who worked hard to stay connected with those she loved, even as her health failed. Even when illness had stolen her appetite and left her miserable in body, she was still able to pray to her heavenly Father.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Knute and Jenny Johnson; one brother, Lester Johnson; three sisters, Carolyn Bingle, Grace Johnson, and Elsie Calhoun, and grandson, Jakob Yount.

She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Paul Alexander of Fenton; four children, Junia Haas and husband David of Fenton, MO; Charysse Alexander of Atlanta, GA; DeAnn Yount and husband Brian of Festus, MO; and Gregory Alexander and wife Rachel of Sugarland, TX; one brother, Linden Johnson and wife Carol of Bloomington, MN; one sister, Gladys Nelson of Hinckley, MN; 10 grandchildren: Heather Spanogle, Joanna Hancock, Sarah Haas, Philip Haas, Ethan Yount, Gabrielle Alexander, Natalie Alexander, Adrienne Alexander, Ben Alexander, and Vivienne Alexander; seven great-grandchildren: Lydia, Elias, Titus, and Caleb Spanogle; and Ezra, Micah, and Jonah Hancock; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

Memorial donations to Westminster Christian Academy of 237 Johns Road, Huntsville, AL 35806 ( https://www.wca-hsv.org/ ) are preferred.