Carolyn Welch Alexander, 80, of Ocean City, NJ, died on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 in the care of Bridges at the Shores and Holy Redeemer Hospice, after a hard-fought fourteen-year battle with cancer. Today she stands with gratitude and joy before her Lord and Savior to join those who have preceded her in death, with a renewed mind and perfected heavenly body.
Carolyn was born July 24, 1943 in Camden, NJ, the daughter of Robert Michael Welch and Grace Kruse Welch. She grew up in Collingswood, NJ, where she graduated from Collingswood High School, participating in varsity tennis and orchestra as a violinist. As a senior, Carolyn was part of the 1961 Collingswood Team that won the West Jersey State Women’s Tennis Championship. After graduation she attended the University of Delaware, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Ever the educator to everyone she encountered, Carolyn was an employee of the Cherry Hill Public School System as a full-time teacher at Stafford Elementary and later as a substitute elementary teacher throughout the entire school district. Carolyn was a lifelong member of the Collingswood Methodist Church. Thoughtful words, acts of kindness, gift-giving, and time spent with close friends were always appreciated by Carolyn. She devoted her life to serving, teaching, loving, and lifting others the best she knew how. She valued life-long learning and always sought to educate those around her.
Carolyn enjoyed sewing, swimming, and teaching (or attending) Sunday School. Carolyn loved her children and grandchildren deeply and well, enjoying their sports, musical, and dramatic performances whenever possible. She was especially proud of each one and the ways that they glorified God with their unique personalities that reflect the facets of God’s glory.
In addition to her mother and father, Carolyn is predeceased by her brother Robert Douglas Welch and daughter Susan Louise Alexander. She is survived by her husband, William Joseph Alexander; son Robert William of Winston-Salem, NC, his wife Rebecca, and grandchildren Katherine and J Alexander; son James Brian of New Albany, Indiana, his wife Sara, and granddaughter Gabrielle Alexander; daughter Joy Carolyn Thomas of Linwood, NJ, her husband JR, and grandchildren William Daley and Grace Daley.
Carolyn’s memorial service will be held at the Ocean City Tabernacle ( octabernacle.org ) at 4 PM in the afternoon on Friday, August 11th. Friends may call prior at 3:30 PM or after the memorial service. An 11 AM burial in the Haddonfield United Methodist Cemetery in Haddonfield, NJ, for family members will precede the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages gifts to the following:
The Shepherds Center of Winston-Salem
Arrangements are by The Godfrey Funeral Home of Ocean City. For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com
