Barbara J. Alexander

Barbara Jean Russell Alexander was born in Lake Providence LA, on January 13th, 1936, to the late Melvin and Bonnie Wascom Russell.  She passed into the arms of our Lord in Hammond LA, on March 17th, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, who, with gospel music playing, rejoiced in combined sorrow and fellowship as she completed her earthly journey, and collected the keys to her well-deserved mansion on the hilltop in the glorious kingdom of Heaven. 

Barbara’s life can best be summarized as one of great effort and even greater love. From picking cotton in Mississippi, to strawberries in Louisiana, to working a dairy, and being a caregiver in retirement, she was always a proud and hard worker. But as far as work goes, she was most proud of her 28 years spent working for Dr. Charles Gideon’s chiropractic clinic-it was never just a job to her. Doc and Alice Gideon’s family and her coworkers were her extended family, who she took much pride in and adored greatly. 
She was a woman of steadfast faith, and patience befitting a saint. Her love for the Lord rivaled only by that for her children. A strong thinker with a quick wit who embodied class, strength, compassion, friendship, generosity, and sometimes comedy. From a school age child all the way through her time at Belle Maison nursing home, she was beloved by many friends everywhere she went. An at times walking contradiction of untapped fury and calm grace, she was the quintessential mother bear. Because more than anything else, she was a mother. Her life was her lineage. She always did without so her family could have more. 

Barbara is survived by her children: Floyd Edward Joiner (Carla), William David Joiner, Sr. (Tressa), and Bonnie Alice Joiner Daigle (Clayton); her bonus children Sidney Paul Alexander (Pat) and their children and grandchildren, and Phyliss Alexander and her children and grandchildren. Grandchildren: Hunter Joiner (Felicia), Candace Ostendorf (Brian), Blake Joiner (Christie), William David Joiner, Jr. (Lauren), Houston Lloyd Joiner, Kayla Dale Kiss (Chris), Brooke Norred (Richard Schuster), Dallas Daigle (Macey Baze), Celeste Branom (Leon), Clay Daigle (Laura Lee), Christopher Daigle (Laura), Colt Joiner (Lacey), and Cheyenne Joiner; her bonus grandsons Michael Stevens (Alfredo) and their children and Joey Stevens (Jay) and their children. She is also survived by 38 great grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 
In addition to her parents, Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Neal Alexander; the father of her children, Lloyd E. Joiner; son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd Wayne Joiner and Paulette Joiner; granddaughter, Wendy Ann Joiner; grandson Paul Lee; brothers, Billy Russell, J.B. Shelton, and Eugene Shelton; sisters, Christine Hudson, Bonnie Lee Beyl, and Sally Giacone; her bonus son Butch Alexander; and a special sister-in-law, Alma Russell. She was also preceded in death by her special friends “Doc” Charles Gideon, Ernestine Vining Hawkins, Texie Rae Prine Young, and Beverly and John Alexander. 

The family would also like to say a special thank you to the staff at Belle Maison nursing home and her hospice team for the last four years of care. She loved her nurses very much, and they loved her as well. 

Visitation will be held at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, LA, Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 p.m., and Friday, March 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until funeral services at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Brother Glynn Fendlason, and Brother Michael Matthews. Pallbearers: Hunter Joiner, Dallas Daigle, Houston Joiner, Brady Joiner, Tyler Puffpaff, and Johnny (Johnson) Giles, with Honorary Pallbearers Dale Ray Harper and William Clyde Russell. Food and fellowship will be held at Wesley Chapel on South Thibodaux Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude or Ponchatoula Kid’s Wish Foundation.