SOUTHPORT — On Saturday, April 22, 2017, DeConja Alexander, 69, was called from his earthly home to be with his father in heaven. He was born Dec. 29, 1947, in Summit, Miss., to the late Eugene and Rosa Ella Alexander.
At age nine, DeConja’s family moved to San Diego, Calif., where he was reared. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1967, where he was active in sports, particularly football. DeConja saw the need to serve his country upon graduating high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his country. Mr. Alexander was a Vietnam veteran.
DeConja moved to Southport, N.C., where he married the love of his life, Regina White Alexander, Aug. 29, 1987; to this union, they were blessed with a daughter, DeShondra Smith.
DeConja was a dedicated member of Brown’s Chapel AME Zion Church, where he was a member of the male choir and served as a trustee for many years. DeConja was recognized as ‘Layperson of the Year’ by the Wilmington District Cape Fear Conference for the 2014 to 2015 conference year.
He worked for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Department for several years as a detention officer, later retiring from Waste Industries in 2004.
DeConja had a larger-than-life personality, never meeting a stranger. All who met him knew that he loved the Lord and his family. He had a host of friends whom he referred to as “his brothers and sisters from another mother.” He had a passion for telling stories, watching old westerns, and calling any and everybody on the phone to check on them.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Murray Donald; and sister, Yulanda Alexander.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife of 29 years, Regina Alexander; daughter, DeShondra Smith (Brion) of Durham, N.C.; son, Deossy Gibbs of San Diego, Calif.; grandsons, Darrin Gibbs and Deossy ‘D.J.’ Gibbs Jr.; granddaughters, Trezher and Dymend Gibbs and Ambrosha Rogers; great-grandchildren, Asai Ezell-Rogers and Sanaa, Dezrin, and S’Bellah Gibbs; sister, Labommie Saunders of Shallotte, N.C.; brother, Joe Alexander of San Diego, Calif.; nieces, Nzingha and Makare Saunders, Keyanna Alexander and Tara Clifford; nephew, Eugene Alexander; mother in-law, Mary White; special friends, Frank Harrison and Howard Cowan; and a host of in-laws, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 28, at Southport Baptist Church. Burial will follow the service in the Northwood Cemetery with military rites.
Online condolences may be made at peacocknewnamwhite.com.