Harbert Lee Rice Alexander, Sr., long time banker and civic leader, passed away on April 24, 2022. He was 82 years old.
A native of Jackson, he graduated from Jackson High in 1957. Following high school, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Military Institute and a graduate degree from Rutgers University in Princeton, New Jersey. From 1962-1964, he served as an artillery officer in Schweinfurt, West Germany, retiring from the Army with the rank of Captain.
He was associated with Jackson National Bank (now Bancorp South) for twenty four years where he served as President of the bank and Vice Chairman of the holding company. He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Planters Bank (now Regions Bank) and later as Regional President of their banks in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Middle and West Tennessee. After his retirement in 2004, he became affiliated with the Bank of Jackson serving as Chairman of the Board.
For many years he served as Madison County historian and published five books on its history. Among his many civic duties, he served as Chairman of the Board of Jackson Madison County General Hospital, President of Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of Jackson Energy Authority, and President of the Board of Trustees at Lambuth University. In 1991, he was selected as The Exchange Club’s “Man of the Year.” He was a Commissioner of the TN State Museum and also served on the TN State Archeology board. He was Chairman of the Episcopal Day School, The Jackson Country Club , and was longtime member of the Quarterback Club and Forked Deer River coon Club. He also founded Leadership Jackson. Harbert was passionate about his hobbies of being an amateur archaeologist, Civil War Collector, farm manager and his great love of the outdoors and Bird hunting.
A life-long Presbyterian, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson where he served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Nora Noe Alexander and three children, Lucille Alexander “Ceil” Cowles (Ty), Harbert Lee Rice Alexander, Jr. (Tausha), and Albert Noe Alexander; and six grandchildren, Morgan Ridley Cowles, Mary Alexander Corrine Cowles, Nora Ann Ridley Alexander, Mary Harbert Rice Alexaner, Dorothy Lucille Cline Alexander, and Elizabeth James Happel Alexander.
Funeral services were held on Friday, April 29, 2022 at from the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. The family received friends and loved ones during a reception that was held at Memorial Hall on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church. Harbert was buried in the family lot at Hollywood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to First Presbyterian Church or to the local charity of your choice. The Scoop sends our deepest sympathies to Nora and the Alexander Family.