Celebration of the Life of T.M. Alexander Sr., March 7, 1909 - November 1, 2001, Wednesday, November 7, 2001, 11:00 A.M., Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia

Celebration of the Lifo of
'C. ~. :7/lexander Sr.
March 7, 1909 - November 1, 2001
Wednesday, November 7, 2001 11:00 A.M.
Martin Luther KingJr. International Chapel
Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia

Obituary
AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN BY HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AS T.M., Theodore Martin Alexander Sr. was born on March 7,
1909, in Montgomery, Alabama, to the late James and Hattie Alexander. He attended the former Morehouse Academy High School, and after graduating, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Business Administration from Morehouse College in 1931. Morehouse College honored him with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1970. For more than 70 years, he was a pioneer and leader in the Atlanta community, always in the forefront of important national and local social, political and economic change. He made his mark on the world, particularly the South, and was determined to overcome the many obstacles confronting an aspi ring southern African-American man at that time.
Known as "Mr. Insurance," he founded Alexander & Company in 1931, a property and casualty insurance brokerage agency with offices in Georgia and Alabama. T h e company grew to become one of the nation's oldest and most successful minority-owned full-time independent insurance age,Kies and served major clients throughout the United States, including MARTA, the City of Atlanta, The Coca-Cola Company, and Fulton County. One of his most memorable an d unprecedented challenges was the placement of liability insurance on the automobiles used in the Montgomery bus boycott in 1957. At a critical point in the Civil Rights Movement, white insurance companies decided to cancel the liability insurance policies on these vehicles, thus causing a temporary setback for the boycotters. Word circulated throughout the insurance industry that any insurance broker providing coverage for the involved vehicles would be barred. When the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. approached him for assis tance, T.M. made a contact with Lloyd's of London Insurance an d successfully obtained the desperately needed coverage. This bold and daring move enabled the boycott to continue and ultimately achieve its goals. Recognizing his leadership in civil rights activities, in 1964 the late President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him to the National Citizens Committee for Human Rel ati ons, an advisory committee organized to provide advice on implementation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Throughout his life, T.M. was a bold and tenacious risk-taker and was associated wi th well-known and influential fi gures from politics to t nrenainment. While doggedly pursing his strong commitment to equality and social change, he made many important and great contributions to the business, political, social and economic community of Adanta. Partnering with the late William "Bill" Calloway in the early 1940s, he founded the Alexander-Callaway Realty Company, which sold real estate and developed properties on Calloway Drive. A further demonstrati on of his concern , related to the needs of the African-American community, was the formation of a partnership with his late son, T.M. Jr., Harold Dawson Jr. , and the late Dr. Hillard Bowen. They worked under the guidance and assistance of his great friend and mentor, the late John A. Sibley, and secured funding to develop the Harris Manor subdivision, located off Peyton Road, which represented one of the first upper middleclass Atlanta communities for African Americans. They also developed and constructed a semi-luxury rental apartment complex, University Plaza, located in the midst of the Atlanta University Center. That unique complex, presenting the illusion of two circles, is now occupied by Clark Atlanta University. In 1944, he worked diligently with other local realtists to help revive and restructure the Empire Real Estate Board
(now known as the Empire Board of Realtists Inc.) and served as its President from 1945-1953. He remained active with this organization
througho ut the years . He was also a charter member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. Employing his extraord inary vision, T.M. and a number of other local businessmen raised the money required to charter the Southeastern
Fidelity Fire and Casualty Company, the first multi-line insurance company owned by African Americans in America. He served as the Execmive Vice President and Managing Officer until the company was sold in 1967. The Southeastern Fidelity Company provided m ore than $50 million of property protection for its client groups.
Recognizing the absence of African-American representation and participation in electoral politics in both the City ofAdanta and the Stare cf Georgia for more than 90 years, he ran for a city aldermanic position (now called council member) in 1957 and the State Senate in 1961. Altho ugh unsuccessful in each of these ventures, he helped to open the political arena and provide the incentive for other African Americans ro pursue: their poli tical aspirations in electoral politics.
T.M. was a man for all seasons with a strong zeal for community service. He volunteered a great deal of his time to civic affairs, serving as a member of various boards, associations, and other local activities including: the Board ofTrustees of Morehouse College; the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Univers ity Ce nter Corporation; the Board of Directors of the United States African Development Foundation; the Board of Directors of BlueCross BlueShield of Greater Atlanta; Chairman of the Board of the Buder Street YMCA; the on ly honorary m ember of the Atlan ta Association of Insurance Professionals; member of the Atlanta Association of Independent Insurance Agents; member of the Board of Directors of Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Association; member of the Trustee Board of Friendship Baptist Church and Superintendent of the Sunday School; an d a member of the Community Relations Committee of Atlanta. Other leadersh ip positions included his service as Vice Chairman of the City of Atlanta Ethics Committee; Chairman of the Adanta Citizens Advisory Committee of Urban Renewal and Development; and Board Chairman of the Senior C itizens of Metropolitan Atlanta. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Sigma Pi Phi Boule.
T.M. was a role model, mentor and counselor to many aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to lau nch their businesses His wisdom, counsel, and advice was frequently sought by high-level national and local leaders, m em bers of the corpo rate world and various organizations, particularly on controversial issues affectin g the Afri can-American community. As an Adjunct Professor of Insurance at Howard University in Washington , D.C., he utilized his knowledge, skills and experiences to inspire yo ung people seeking careers in the insurance industry. After retirement he turn ed his interests to writing and lecturing about his experiences. He authored several publicati ons and wrote his autobiography: "Beyon d the Timberlin e: The Trials and Triumphs of a Black Entrepreneur," a historical documentary chronicling his life and contributions to help convert Atlanta into one o f the most progressive cities in America. He also worked cl osely with the Apex Museum on Auburn Avenue to lecture students, tour groups and other professi onals interested in historical Atlanta.
H e was marri ed to the late D o rothy Hudson Alexander for 44 years, and three children were born to rhi s marriage. M r. Alexander leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 26 years, Dr. Lenora Cole Alexander; rwo devoted daughters, Alvia Boo ne (John) and Dorothy Brooks (Cowan); six grandchildren, T.M. Alexander III (Te ri), Kimberly Jackson (Mark), Todd B. Alexander, Arvia Few (Jason), Renee McCown, and Jacl ynne Boone, along with eight great-grandchildren; an ado ring sister, Bernice Connally; a daughter-in-law, Janis Perkins; a host of nieces an d nephews and man y friends in the Atlanta and Washington , D.C., communities. His son, T.M. Jr., preceded him in death

Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance , Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit washed in his blood.
Chorus
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long,
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above, Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Battle Hymn ofthe Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He had loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.
Glory! glory, hallelujuah! Glory! Glory, hallelujuah! Glory! Glory hallelujuah! His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on. Glory! Glory, hallelujuah! Glory! Glory, hallelujuah! Glory! Glory hallelujuah!
His day is marching on.

Order of 8ervice
The Reverend Dr. William V Guy Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church
Officiating

ORGAN PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL

Dr. David Francis Oliver Artist-in-Residence/College Organist

INVOCATION

Dr. Guy

HYMN

"Blessed Assurance"

Friendship Baptist Church Choir and Congregation

I

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalms 139

The Reverend Ernest Augcomfar Ass istant Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church

SOLO

"Ave Maria" Franz Schubert, Opus 52

Anne Dennard Smith

SCRIPTURE READING

First Corinthians 13

The Reverend Dr. Lawrence E. Carter Dean, Marrin Luther King Jr. International Chapel
Morehouse College

MUSICAL SELECTION

"It's My Desire"

Friendship Baptist Church Choir Kenneth Wynn, Director

MEMORIES OFT. M. ALEXANDER SR. The Businessman The Entrepreneur The Civil Rights Movement The Adanta Community The Statesman The Family Man

Eugene Oberdorfer, Oberdo rfer Insurance Co. (retired) Harold Dawson, CEO , Harold A. Dawson Co. , Inc. John Lewis, Member, U.S. Congress Maynard Jackson , Former Mayor, City of Adanta Ambassador Andrew Young T.M. Al exander III, Grandson

SOLO EULOGY
MUSIC SELECTION ORGAN MEDLEY PRAYER RECESSIONAL

"My Way"
"Fare Ye Well " Arranged by Wendell Whalum
The Alpha Hymn The Moreh ouse College Hymn
(Members Standing)
"Barrie Hymn of the Republic"
INTER1\1ENT Southview Cemetery
Jonesboro Road Atlanta, Georgia

C. Anthony Bryant
The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr. Pastor, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church
Cleveland, Ohio
Morehouse College Glee Club Dr. David Morrow, Director
Dr. Oliver
Dr. Guy
Friendship Baptist Church Choir and Congregation

Will
There is no chance, no destiny, no fate; Can circumvent or hinder or control The firm resolve of a determined soul.
Gifts count for nothing, will alone is great; Ali things give way before it, soon or late What obstacles can stay the mighty force
Of the sea-seeking river in its course, Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait? Each well borne soul must win what it deserves Let the fool prate of luck. The fortunate Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves. The one great aim. Why, even Death stands still, And waits no hour sometimes for such a will.
<---~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

AcTIVE PALL BEARERS

Alston Alexander
Julius J. Alexander Jr.
M ichael Alexander
Iliad Connally

Randy Groomes Will Hudson Anthony Robinson Hiram Scott Armstrong Williams


HoNORARY PALL BEARERS

Members, Empire Board of Realtists Members, American Association of Insurance Professionals
Men of Morehouse College Members, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

FLOWER BEARERS Sunday School Class #18, Friendship Baptist Church Arts and Gardens Club, Friendship Baptist Church
Service Guild, Friendship Baptist Church The Atlanta Chapter of the Girl Friends
The Links Inc.

AcKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to express our deepest appreciation for the kindness shown to us during T.M. Alexander's long illness. You brought us comfort in many ways. Thank you for showing us your love and concern during our bereavement.
Contributions may be made to the T.M. Alexander Sr. Scholarship Fund at the American Association of Insurance Professionals or Morehouse College, Division of Business and Economics. Contributions to the College may be sent to the Morehouse College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 830 Westview Drive, S.W, Atlanta, GA 30314-3773. All other contributions should be mailed to P.O. Box 55385 , Atlanta, GA 30308.
Carl M . Williams Funeral Directors Inc. Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmers 52 Larkin Street S.W Atlanta, Georgia 30313
(404) 522-8454
'