Mattie L. Alexander

Mattie Lee Alexander of Cary, North Carolina, a beloved mother, devoted community member and dedicated professional, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.

Born on March 16, 1951, in Tallulah, Louisiana, Mattie was the cherished daughter of West Alexander, Jr. and Rosie Peterson Bynum. She was a beloved twin, sharing an unbreakable bond with her brother (West Alexander, III).  Her early life in Louisiana instilled in her a strong sense of community and family values that she carried throughout her life.  It was at an early age that Mattie accepted Christ at St. Matthew AME church laying the foundation for a lifetime of devotion.

Mattie graduated from Richardson High School and later went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology from Southern University in 1973. It was at Southern University that Mattie pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and cemented her commitment to service of others. She was previously a member of Rho Zeta Omega in Marietta Georgia but currently maintains membership in Sigma Tau Omega in Cary, North Carolina.

Mattie built a remarkable career, marked by dedication and excellence.  She spent eight years with JC Penney Corporation before embarking on a distinguished 33 -year tenure as a business analyst with IBM from which she retired. While at IBM, Mattie held several management and executive positions and won several awards. She worked at IBM in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.

Mattie was a faithful and devoted servant, no matter the church she attended.  She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist in Oxon Hill, Maryland for several years, where she served on the usher board and as a Sunday School teacher.  It was at Marietta Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia, where Mattie spent 25 years, served on the Steward and Usher Boards, taught Sunday School and supported several programs.  While at Marietta Chapel Mattie established the Alexander/Bynum Family scholarships in her mother and brother’s honor for the graduating youth of Marietta Chapel.  At St. Paul AME Church in Raleigh, Mattie was a mentor for youth programs and attended the Golden Jewels meetings.

Mattie was a woman of diverse interests.   She found joy in the simple pleasures of walking, spending time with family, reading books and cooking.  Thanksgiving was her most enchanting time.  She would cook all the food herself for Thanksgiving and there would be 40 dishes around the kitchen to choose from.  Her cooking was her “superpower”; it always made people feel special.

She was preceded in death by her father, West Alexander, Jr., mother, Rosie Alexander Bynum,  stepfather, West Bynum, Jr, twin brother, West Alexander III and sister, Linda Allen.

Mattie is survived by her children, Ret. Col. USA Edward Hunter (Kim) of Camden, NC, Ursula Hunter Polo (Paul) of Morrisville, NC; her  grandchildren, Charnel Hunter, Marcel Hunter, Jordan Hunter and Kyle Polo; and siblings, Ralph Riley (Sandy) of Charlotte, NC, Sonia Barbre (Byron) of Winston-Salem, NC, Debra P. Walton (Stephfon) of Cary, NC, Shermaletha (Stephen) Watson of  DeSota, Texas, El Kieber Brown of Opelousas, Louisiana, Lenny Robinson of Lansing, Michigan, Kim Alexander of Seattle, Washington and Conshelia Alexander, Seattle,  Washington as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

To continue Mattie’s legacy of supporting education and empowering future generations donations can be made to the Southern University Scholarship Fund.

  Funeral service at 11:00 AM Monday July 28, 2025 at St. Paul AME Church, 402 W. Edenton Street Raleigh, NC preceded by a 10:30 AM visitation.  Sorority rites will be held at 10:00 AM.  Entombment will follow the service at Carolina Biblical Gardens.

Click here to make donations to the Southern University Scholarship Fund in honor of Mattie L. Alexander:

https://foundation.sus.edu/mattie-lee-alexander-memorial/

Click here to watch Live Stream

https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/celebration-of-life-for-mattie-l-alexander

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