Susan Alexander

Susan Alexander passed away on April 28, 2016, at age 82, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Even during her illness, she endured each day of her life with the same quiet grace, finding comfort in her faith and love of family. Susan was born on Aug. 29, 1933, and raised in Raeford in eastern North Carolina, the daughter of Lewis Marvin and Mary Spell Upchurch. She graduated from Hoke County High in 1951 and attended Hollins College. During this time, she reigned as Maid of Cotton and was the first runner-up in the Miss North Carolina Pageant. She later attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where she met her husband, Raymond Davis Collins. After raising five children, Susan completed her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, worked as a teaching assistant at then-Myers Park Elementary School, and as a residential real estate agent. Susan's faith and family always came first. She lived for family gatherings and special events such as holidays, weddings and graduations. She was a wonderful cook who'd make enough to feed a small Army and always opened her home to many. She pursued with passion the things that mattered to her: Leading the Girl Scouts at Myers Park United Methodist Church, ushering at Spirit Square performances, belonging to the Daughters of the American Revolution, was an active member of her bridge club and garden club. Her greatest attribute was her ability to love and share kindness with others. In her last years at Sharon Towers, living with Parkinson's, she offered a hand and a smile to many residents. Ever the Southern lady, she never left the house without her lipstick and was truly as lovely inside as out. Susan is survived by five children - L. Alan Collins and his wife, Margaret Anne, of Wilmington; W. Bruce Collins and his wife, Belinda, of Charlotte; Raymond D. Collins, Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Winston-Salem; Susan Collins Weddington and her husband, John, of Matthews; and Leigh Collins Hennessey of Charlotte; 12 grandchildren who affectionately called her Gammy - Weston, Patricia, Whitney (Josh), Bailey (Brandon), Allie, Davis, Addison, John Jr. (Elizabeth), Michael, David, Ned and Mary Cameron; and five great-grandchildren - Hannah, Charles, Elsie, Wells and Lillian. She is also survived by her beloved younger brother, Lewis Upchurch, and his wife, Betty, of Fleetwood, N.C., and their three children - Lisa, Lew (Lisa) and Mollie (Matt). She was preceded in death by her parents and her great-granddaughter, Elianna Grace Weddington. A service to celebrate her life will be at 2 p.m. Monday, May 9, in the sanctuary of Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road. Visitation follows in Jubilee Hall. Gifts in her honor can be made to A Child's Place, which helps homeless children and their families, 601 E. Fifth St., Suite 230, Charlotte, N.C. 28202; or Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204. The family is grateful for the love and care shown to our mother by everyone at Sharon Towers and Hospice. We extend heartfelt appreciation to Audrey Weddington, who was a loving presence and dear friend through the last difficult years.