Joseph Vance Alexander

Joseph Vance Alexander, 73, of Creekside on W. Union Street, Morganton, NC died Monday, January 7, 2008, at his residence. He was born in Jacksonville, FL on May 25, 1934 and was a son of the late William Theodore Alexander and Eloise McDowell Alexander. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, William Theodore Alexander, Jr. Mr. Alexander was a U. S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and was a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College. He taught for 32 years for the Burke County Schools. Joe was a 32nd Degree Mason; a member and past master of Catawba Valley Lodge #217; and was a Shriner with the Oasis Shrine Temple in Charlotte. Joe was also a member of the Marine Corps League, Table Rock Detachment and a member of Grace Episcopal Church where he was a past member of the vestry.Surviving are his wife, Mary Boggs Alexander of the home; daughters and their husbands, Mary H. and Paul Braun and Louisa A. and Kirk Emmons all of Morganton; grandchildren, Cory Braun, Mary Faye Lyle, and James Alexander Emmons; his sister, Eloise McDowell Stieneke, of Lenoir; a brother, and his wife, Erwin McDowell and Celia Alexander, of Suffolk, VA; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Bostic Alexander, of Nebo; and a number of nieces and nephews.The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2008, at Grace Episcopal Church with Rev. Bruce Walker officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery with Masonic Rites conducted by Catawba Valley Masonic Lodge #217. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Sossoman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Grace Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 303 S. King St., Morganton, NC 28655.