Longtime music teacher Annie Alexander dies at 100
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AlexanderThe Yazoo Herald
Longtime music teacher Annie Alexander died Thursday at age 100.
Alexander taught music and led the Glee Club in Benton schools for over two decades. She continued to give private piano lessons after retiring in 1988.
“She instilled a love of music in every child she taught,” said Helen Moore, in a previous interview. “She really encouraged so many young people to enjoy and love music.”
Alexander was born on Feb. 17, 1911 in Vaughan. She was married to L.C. “Joe” Alexander for 66 years, and they had three children together.
Miss Naomi Waldrup was Mrs. Annie’s first music teacher. While attending Campbell School, she would walk home after school with Miss Waldrup for her lessons. Afterwards, she made her way home through pastures.
Alexander’s first lessons were on a pump organ, and she could play a few hymns before she ever started her music lessons.
It didn’t take long for the community to see that Alexander had a gift for music. A literary, musical and athletic competition was held at Benton Agricultural School, and she won first place in the music contest. After winning first place in the local contest, she received her first piano from her father.
Aside from school functions, Alexander found a perfect place for her musical abilities inside various churches. She often divided her pump organ performances among three churches within a month.
Alexander started teaching piano lessons as a teenager. Moore’s daughter was one of her many students.
“My daughter would sit at the piano and cry sometimes,” Moore said. “But Annie really encouraged to try. She knew she had to practice for the spring recital.”
Bill Alexander, Alexander’s youngest son, recalled that family and music were two of the most important things in her life.
“She taught music for as long as I can remember,” he said. “She primarily taught elementary students music lessons. Some of those students insisted on remaining her pupil up to high school.”
Funeral services were Sunday at Ellison United Methodist Church with Rev. David Schultz and Rev. George Butler officiating.
Dear Editor,
The decision by the present school board not to renew the teaching and coaching contract of Mr. Archie Carlyle was a planned and calculated act of politics. This kind of thing has been happening for years.
They didn’t follow policies or procedures in this matter. The state’s report on the district asked the board to stop interfering in this kind of situation, but it seems they didn’t get the memo.
My mother always put her 11 children first in making decisions for their futures. It is clear this board did not do that.
Mr. Carlyle’s only crime was putting his students first. I feel like Jesus, when he told the people at the well, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
I and the 800 people who have signed the petition calling for Carlyle’s return can find no fault in his dedication to our community. We are being laughed at across the state, and on Facebook and Twitter.
Our community is losing faith in our ability to work in a productive and successful district. The Yazoo Herald’s sports editor called it a “travesty.” I ask the question, where are all those Christian folks, his co-workers, his pastor and his fellow church members?
Where are the athletes, past and present, and most of all where are the parents? He has mothered and fathered when you were unable to make it to a game or on the road, giving your children heart-to-heart talks of motivation and encouragement both in the halls of our schools and on the streets of this community. Now he deserves your support in this critical matter.
This affects us all, black and white, because the future of our community is at stake. I am asking everyone to show as much concern about this matter as they do during election time.
Mr. Clifton Jones, I sat on the school board when you and your wife in a 3 to 2 vote were denied what you rightfully deserved. When you first ran for alderman you were the only politician I ever spent an entire day with, walking the streets because I believed in you. When I ran for mayor as an independent, I endorsed McArthur Straughter in the primary. Many people thought I was crazy, but I was exercising my rights.
Mr. Aubry Brent Jr., I followed you from Vicksburg to Belzoni and saw people commit perjury to defeat you. When citizens support a candidate, they want something in return. As a citizen with the 800 petitioners, we are calling in our wager. Just get the record of the board of that decision, which is public record. Check the timeline of the action, and you will be amazed. Next month you will appoint or reappoint a board member, but before you do we deserve answers.
If you find me wrong I will come back and sit before you and the school board and give a public apology. Everyone deserves their day in court, and Mr. Carlyle certainly does.
What you do or don’t do will determine the caliber of teachers and coaches willing to come into our community and work with our children.
Johnny Staples
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