Herbert Hoover Alexander, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025, at the age of 96. He was born on October 25, 1928, to the late Richard Benjamin Alexander and Sadie Ray Benson, sharecroppers in Tennessee.
At just 14 years old, Mr. Alexander left school to work and help provide for his mother and siblings following the death of his father. He would return to school later in life to complete his education.
In 1950, after working for months in Florida picking oranges to earn money for their future, Mr. Alexander married the love of his life, Kay Frances Young. They were married for 70 years before her death in 2020.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander built a life rooted in love and family, raising four children, Rick (Richard), Randy (Randall), Jeannie and Angie (Angela). That legacy now spans five generations, including 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He was affectionately known as “Peeps,” short for Pepaw.
With determination and sacrifice, Mr. Alexander juggled several jobs at once for many years so his wife could attend college, the family could buy land, and his children would have a promising future.
Despite the early hardships, Mr. Alexander found joy and purpose in farming. For many years, he worked the land, growing hay, tending cattle and producing an abundance of potatoes and vegetables that he was happy to share. He even picked muscadines every year, right up until this year, to make his famous muscadine jelly. Everyone received a jar, including family, friends and even phone technicians and repairmen.
Mr. Alexander deeply believed in the power of hard work, not for its own sake, but as a means to rise above hardship and create a better life for his family. Providing for those he loved brought him purpose and pride. For Mr. Alexander, providing was never a burden. It was a joy rooted in love.
Herbert Hoover Alexander is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Sadie Alexander, his wife, Kay Frances Alexander, his siblings, Hazel, Rheba, William, Hershel and Benjamin, his son Randall Alexander, his daughter Jeannie Nazario and his great-grandson Henry Graham Odom. He is survived by his son, Richard Steve Alexander, Sr. (Cathy), his daughter, Angela Alexander, 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home (255 Co Rd 1435, Cullman, AL 35058) on Friday, October 10, 2025, with funeral services immediately following.
