Kathryn Elaine Alexander

Kathryn Elaine Buffalo Vardeman Rinehart Alexander, age 84, of Gilmer, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at UT Health Tyler. Kathy was born on August 29,1939 in Poseyville, Indiana to the late Henry George Rinehart and Ruth Anna Vardeman Rinehart.

She was a proud member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians.

She married her beloved husband of 61 years, Lynn Paul Alexander, on April 26, 1958, at the First Christian Church of Gladewater. They met as freshmen at Stephen F. Austin State College, were married the following year and after Lynn joined the United States Army began a 22-year adventure moving all over the United States and even had a 2-year posting in Japan.

She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina and when Lynn retired and they moved back to East Texas, she began her nearly 20-year career as a Middle School Math Teacher in Nacogdoches, Woden and Trinity, Texas. While in Nacogdoches, she completed her Master’s Degree at Stephen F. Austin University and was also the Nacogdoches High School Golf Coach for both the Boys and Girls Teams for 9 years. Once she retired from teaching, they moved back to Gilmer to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Kathy and Lynn traveled extensively throughout the years, for recreation and to visit their daughter and son-in-law serving overseas in the military. Kathy enjoyed golf, was a seamstress and loved to cross-stitch and crochet. Many family members and friends have handmade gifts that grace their homes and will always be a reminder of her. She was a member of Lake Country Symphonic Band where she played saxophone. But her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her grandson, Paul Alexander and an infant son, Terry Lynn Alexander.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Whiteside (Lee) of St. Simons Island, GA.; sons, Terry Alexander (Betsy) of Bullard, TX, Tim Alexander (Kate) of Big Sandy, TX; sister, LaCrecia Medlin (Terry) of Gladewater, TX; five grandchildren, Laura Khurana, Jessica Adams, Katie Kazee, Todd Alexander, Breanna Alexander; and 12 great-grandchildren, Hanna, Haley, Natalie, Evangeline, Julie, Emah, Peyton, Hayden, Ivy, Jayden, Hope and Archer.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 27th at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer, 305 West Harrison St.,  from 6:00-8:00pm. A service to celebrate Kathy's life will be held at the same location, starting at 11:00am on Thursday, March 28th with Pastor Mike Kessler officiating.