The Honorable Abner Alexander, 82, died on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Arbor Acres Fitzgerald Health Center.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Wynnette Garner Alexander; and their two children, Abner Spruill Alexander of Greenville and Sarah Wynne Alexander Patten of Winston-Salem; Spruill's wife, Denise, their children Asa, Grace, Cooper, and Sawyer Alexander; Sarah's husband, Jeff Patten and their children, Alex and Abby Patten. He is also survived by two sisters, Dora Hanks of Winston-Salem, and Nancy Jones of Burlington; and brother, Willson Alexander of Belews Creek; brother-in-law Dr. Howard Garner of Richmond, Va.; and many much-loved nieces and nephews also survive him.
Judge Alexander was born May 20, 1929, to Webster Spruill Alexander and Ophelia Willson Alexander. He was a graduate of RJ Reynolds High School, Guilford College, and Wake Forest Law School and served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Judge Alexander became a member of the NC Bar Association in 1957 and was in a private law practice until 1968. He served as a US Commissioner, US Assistant Attorney, and in 1968 was elected Chief District Court Judge of New Forsyth District Court. He retired in 1991 and served as an emergency judge in North Carolina until 2007. His community service included serving as the President of the North Carolina District Judges, President of the Exchange Club, President of Ardmore Community Club, Master of Masonic Lodge 707, York Rite, and Scottish Rite. He was a loyal, lifelong member of Ardmore United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Trustees, Church Council, Methodist Men, the Upper Room Class, and many other committees. He was an Eagle Scout from Ardmore UMC Troop #749 and Order of the Arrow recipient. He was an avid sports fan of RJ Reynolds High School, Guilford College, and Duke University. He had a wide circle of devoted friends who will miss him.