Thomas Williams Alexander, Jr.

Thomas Williams Alexander, Jr., 63, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Elizabeth Dennis Alexander passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, January 12, 2024. A visitation will be held at 74 Rutledge Ave. on Wednesday, January 17, from 4pm - 7pm. He will be laid to rest at the family farm in Fairplay, MD.

 

Tom was born April 1, 1960 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of Josephine Rosebrough Cox, and the late Thomas Williams "Big T" Alexander. He was a 1978 graduate of Porter Gaud School and earned a degree in Financial Management in 1982 from Clemson University. He was a loyal Clemson football fan, even proposing to Elizabeth before kickoff at the 1986 Gator Bowl. He passed down his love and loyalty of Clemson to his son, Will, who graduated from the university in 2013. 

 

After Clemson, Tom worked as a cowboy, as he was oft to remind you, in Keystone, Colorado, before returning to Charleston to begin a career at Westvaco. After 33 years, he retired from his position as the Rail Fleet Manager at Ingevity Corp. 

 

A huge part of Tom's legacy is his work at Woodley, the family farm he cherished so much. The property has been in the family since 1840 and served as a hospital in the weeks following The Battle of Antietam. He was a passionate historian of the Civil War and Washington County, Maryland. He channeled his time, energy, and talents into preserving the original farmhouse. Through Tom's efforts and business acumen, Woodley was placed into a permanent agricultural easement, protecting this precious land from future development and providing the means to preserve the farmhouse for future generations. 

 

Every evening, Tom could be found on his front porch smoking a cigar with a book in hand. He was quick with a dad joke, a gifted craftsman and a tremendous leader. He was a man of deep honor and integrity. Tom used to tell his son that when you do something, "do it right the first time." He lived every day of his life that way.

 

He is survived by his wife. Elizabeth Alexander of Mt. Pleasant, SC; son, Thomas Williams "Will" Alexander III (Olivia) of New Orleans, LA; mother, Josephine Rosebrough Cox (Leland) of Charleston, SC; four siblings, Saida Russell (Chip) of Charleston, SC, Prioleau Alexander (Heidi) of Charleston, SC,  Trisha Zemke (Mike) of Greenville, SC, Allison Williamson (Bright) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; step mother, Patty Alexander of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews.