Judy Patton Alexander

Judy Alexander ObituaryVisit the Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes - Downtown Chapel website to view the full obituary.Judy Patton Alexander of Greenville, South Carolina passed away peacefully at her home on March 12, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease with her husband and primary caretaker, James M. Alexander, MD, by her side.Judy was born on November 8,1944, in Murfreesboro, TN to Iola and Benjamin C. Patton, DDS. In 1963, at the age of 18, she married her high school sweetheart, Jimmy Alexander. Together they started their family, and, in the years to follow, worked their way through two college degrees, medical school, a tour of duty in the US Army Medical Corps, a Surgery internship, and an Emergency Medicine residency. Their journey ultimately brought them to Greenville in 1975 where they raised their family in their home on Riverside Drive and lived for over 50 years together.Having worked to put her husband through medical school, Judy returned to college and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clemson University where she earned a Bachelor's in Accounting Degree in 1978. She was a member of several honor societies while there and was selected by Clemson's School of Accountancy as the 1978 Outstanding Alumnus. She soon became known as a pioneer and glass ceiling breaker in her profession by becoming the first female tax partner of an International CPA firm in the two Carolinas at what was then KPMG Peat Marwick. That same year she served as President of the American Society of Women Accountants and was a role model and mentor to numerous female accountants in the Carolinas.Judy was designated a Personal Financial Specialist by the American Institute of CPAs and later joined what was then Dixon Hughes PLLC where she served as the partner-in-charge of the Tax Department. Her outgoing and friendly personality made her a natural as a frequent speaker at tax and estate planning seminars, as Chief Recruiter at Dixon Hughes, and as a counselor and confidante to her many clients in Greenville who appreciated not only her tax expertise but also her warmth, friendliness, and wisdom.Judy's love of Greenville and her heart for those in need was evidenced by her extensive service to the Greenville community. She chaired the United Way Campaign, the Boards of the American Red Cross and Leadership Greenville, and served on the boards of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Greenville Forum and Camperdown Academy. Her commitment to education and the development of professional women was reflected in her work with the Greenville Professional Women's Forum, The Emrys Foundation, Greenville Women Giving, Clemson University President's Advisory Board, and her role as Founding Member of the United Way Women's Leadership Council. In recognition of her efforts, she was honored by the National Association for Community Leadership with the Distinguished Leadership Award. In addition to her work in the community, Judy was a longtime member and children's Sunday School teacher at Woodruff Road Christian Church and more recently a member of First Baptist Church of Greenville, though she often attended Triune Mercy Center on Sundays as she wished to support their mission of meeting the needs of the disadvantaged.Judy and Jim enjoyed spending time with their five grandchildren and particularly enjoyed taking the grandkids on Spring Break trips that included Gatlinburg, Nashville, Dollywood, Universal Studios, the lake, mountains, and the beach.Judy is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dr. James M Alexander; daughter, Valerie Alexander Slade (David); son, J. Benjamin Alexander (Cathy); and grandchildren, Abbie Slade Fioritto (Chris) of Atlanta, GA, Andrew Slade (Kate) of Orinda, CA, Thomas Slade of Atlanta, GA, Cate Alexander of Clemson, SC and Caroline Alexander of Sewanee, TN; and three great grandchildren, Amelia and Lila Fioritto and Clarke Slade. She is also survived by sisters, Edna Johnson, Mary Lou Peruzzi, and Peggy Young, and multiple nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Patton.Interment Service for the family to be held in the Remembrance Garden of First Baptist Greenville. A Memorial Celebration of Judy's life will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel. Following the service, the family invites all to join them for refreshments in an adjoining room where favorite memories of Judy can be shared.The family wishes to acknowledge the special loving care provided by Bessie Sanders, Cathy Woods, Miriam Wagner, Ceila Zwolinski, Audrey Hampton, Kathy DeMeyer, Sitter's Registry and Interim Hospice Home Care along with Dr. Jim Davis and Dr. Tommy Mann.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to one of the many organizations that Judy served or to the Alzheimer's Association.Favorite memories and condolences may be shared by clicking on either the "Share a Memory" footer or the word "Tributes" in the dropdown menu.Read The Full Obituary