Mary Alexander Marchbanks

On March 23, 1938 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mary Marchbanks-Alexander was born to
the union of Lucille and Ollie Marchbanks Sr. She was the seventh child out of a total of
seventeen children. Mary Marchbanks-Alexander experienced many life changes at an early age.
At the age of five her mother passed away, soon after around the age of seven her father, her, and
her siblings migrated to Teviston, California. Her father then remarried to her step mother Dollie
Mae Willams, who helped raise her and her siblings, and then had eight more children. Mary
Marchbanks-Alexander went to school for a while but her education was put on hold. She began
helping her father and siblings in the fields, up until she got married to John H. Eastland and had
her first child. Since Teviston didn’t have a hospital at the time, she had to travel seventeen miles
to Tulare County Hospital with her first husband, to deliver her first five children. Later on after
her divorce she met Marvin C. Johnson and had two more children. Soon after she decided to
reside in Tulare, Ca. A little while later she remarried to Herbert Alexander Sr., and gave birth to
their twin boys which completed her generation of nine children total.
Mary Marchbanks-Alexander was a virtuous woman. A hardworking and loving woman.
Along with her sisters, she worked in a nursing facility in Tulare, Ca. Continuing her education,
she went to Cosmetology school and became a cosmetologist. Making her the Queen of
everybody in town Jheri Curls. A woman of many talents, she was even a seamstress. Mainly for
her kids, she made the majority of her and their clothing. Furthermore, never a time went by
without her mentioning the Lord. Whether she was doing your hair, praying over you, or just a
simple conversation. Her faith was one of the many things people admire about her, along with
her great sense of humor. Although she was a woman of God, everyone knew not to play with
her. She would put you in your place without any hesitation, but it was always done with love.
With that same love she always gave great advice, one of her statements that stuck with people
was, “Leave it to God and let him handle it.” Her reassurance always seemed to make things
better.
Love was one of the main things she had to give out, starting with her own children.
Loving them unconditionally, and passing down that same tender love to help raise her
grandchildren and great grandchildren. A woman who was selfless, considerate, kind, and so
welcoming to anyone who stepped a foot on her doorstep. As mentioned before, she was very
welcoming and always looked out for everyone’s children. She would even take some in and
help them like they were her very own. The saying “Come as you are” we usually hear in church,
is the same way she made people feel. Never judging your mistakes, but always willing to help
you pray. Praying and learning about the Lord was very common in her household. She would
hold bible study at home with her children and other children in the neighborhood. Guiding her
children and other children into their walk with the Lord, she would send them to good news
bible study at a fellow church member's home. She would even send them to catechism, although
they weren’t catholic. She always told them that “ No matter what religion you claim, you're
always going to know about God and who he is.” Mary Marchbanks-Alexander was a powerful
virtuous woman of God. She started with Pastor Green at the storefront Church of Living Christ,
she was a missionary, a member of the choir, and a prayer warrior. Later down the line in her
walk of faith she became a mother of Living Christ Church. Any and everywhere she went, she
made sure to put God first. Never forgetting everything he has done for her and her family, from
the very beginning to the very end she walked hand in hand with Lord on her journey of life.
She is preceded in death by her father Ollie Marchbanks Sr. Her mother Lucille
Gayle-Marchbanks. Her step-mother Dollie Mae Marchbanks. Her eleven siblings: Louise,
Gertrude, Earnestine, Aretha, Clarice, Earline, Dorothy, Julia, Raymond Sr., Ollie (Pap) Jr., and
Frank Marchbanks. Her two sons: Elvin Johnson-Eastland Sr., and Hobert Alexander Sr. One
granddaughter, Kiesha Eastland. Two great grandsons, Jaiden Alexander and Keree’on Hargrove.
She is survived by her husband Herbet Alexander Sr. Her five siblings: Ollie Mae of Tulare, Ca,
Mary-Ann of Las Vegas, Nv, Homer Sr (Mary) of Porterville, Ca, Early, and Ray of Santa Rosa,
Ca. Her seven children: Billy (Madelyn) of Modesto, Ca., John, Anthony (Janice), Sandra
(Robert), Diane (Danny), Myra (Dennis), and Herbet Jr. (Yvonne) of Tulare, Ca. One hundred
twenty-four total of grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren. Along with many nieces,
nephews, and friends.
Her presence and undivided love will be truly missed by many, like her and her son Elvin
would always say: “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.” Until we meet again our beautiful angel,
we love you.