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.