Merle Marie McAlexander, age 88, of Queen City, Texas, went to be with the Lord, May 3, 2023 at her home. She was born March 1, 1935 in Cass County, Texas to Cooper and Lessie Plum. She grew up in the Antioch Community where she attended school. She was a Christian by faith and sang in the church choir as a young adult. She loved music especially church hymns. Merle was a homemaker, cafeteria worker at Queen City ISD, and a seamstress and supervisor at Henson-Kickernick. She then began a career at Atlanta Memorial Hospital where she worked as a clerk, supervisor of dietary and housekeeping, and served as materials management director for 28 years. Her greatest joys in life were cooking, getting together and spending time with family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and collecting angels. Merle will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, Meemaw, and treasured friend.

Merle is preceded in death by her parents; Billy Duke, husband and father of her children; sisters, Martha Powell, Margie Benna, and Alice McBride; and daughter-in-love Sandra Duke.

She is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Roy McAlexander; daughter, Brenda Williams and husband Jim of Atlanta, Texas; her three sons, Steve Duke of Bloomburg, Texas, Jackie Duke of Queen City, Texas, and Gary Duke also of Queen City, Texas; three bonus daughters, Sandy Weeks (Roy), Myra Anderson (Galen), and Gayla Payte (Johnny); two bonus sons, Steve McAlexander (Glenda), Mike McAlexander (Betsy); grandchildren, Kim McKnight (Russell), Lacie Schniederjan (Bleu), Kelli Bearden (Chris), Tiffany Griggs (Jason), Steven Duke (Stephanie), Phillip Duke, Bridgette Holland (Kevin); great-grandchildren, Peyton and Presley Turner, Trenton and Lila McKnight, Emerson and Ella Schniederjan, Kade Brooks, Trent Bearden, Curtis, Jacey, and Hunter Griggs, Carson, Caroline, Colleen, and Cullen Duke along with 9 bonus grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Monday, May 8, 2023 in the Hanner Funeral Service Chapel, with Charles Hale and Steven Duke officiating.

Visitation will be 9:00 am to 10:00 am, before the service.