Beulah Alexander

Beulah Mary Alexander (née Adams), was born on Wednesday, September 26th, 1936, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad to late parents Diana David Hospedalis and Reuben Adams. Beulah was the middle of three children, with siblings Selwyn and Merle. When Beulah lost her father at the tender age of six, her mother was overcome by grief. Unable to care for all three children, her mother reluctantly surrendered Beulah’s care to her great Aunt Rose Vanderpool. With Mama Rose, and cousins Cecil, Leontine (affectionately Choin), and Elma, she was raised with love, kindness, strictness, and a great desire to educate herself. 

Beulah was a natural in school. In fact, after excelling in her general educational studies, she pursued nursing and midwifery. She was a recipient of the 1960 Princess Mary Gold Medal, awarded to her for being the number one nursing student in Trinidad, allowing her a full scholarship to McGill University to study x-ray technology. Afterwards, she returned to Trinidad to honor her 5-year commitment to serve as a nurse, midwife, and x-ray technologist in Trinidad, before marrying her beloved Bobby (Eldrick Sr.) and starting her family. 

She worked at several hospitals in Trinidad for many years, excelling within them all, and earning a Nurse of the Year award at Port of Spain General Hospital before deciding to emigrate to the United States where Bobby would pursue his educational goals. There, Beulah again worked as a nurse in Coney Island, NY, before settling in the Washington, DC area and becoming head nurse at Howard University Hospital’s 5E unit. She decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and alternate as a radiology technician, putting all her skills to good use. After earning Employee of the Year twice during her career at Howard University Hospital, she finally retired to enjoy other pursuits.

Even in her leisure time, Beulah was known for her independence, competitive spirit, and many hobbies. If you got to know her, you realized she was an excellent gardener, avid needlepoint artist, seamstress, quilter, and…of course, there was TENNIS. Whether she was teaching it (one on one, or at Granny Clinic), or playing it, she brought joy to everyone fortunate enough to see her play. She won 1st place medals (2004, 2007) in the USTA Washington Area Tennis League, as a Women Super Senior, and was a vibrant member of the AASSTC club. She enjoyed traveling, and took opportunities to broaden her and her family’s horizons by doing so.

Throughout her life, Beulah touched the lives of those around her with love, kindness, and grace. She was a devoted wife to Eldrick Sr.; a loving mother to Joanne, KathyAnn, Eldrick, Jr, and Patsy; a beloved grandmother to Joel, Jisele, Kayla, Nia, Eldrick Jelani, Amira, Mani, Isaiah, Ammar, Jamal, Chloe, and Clara; a cherished great-grandmother to Gabrielle, Rachel, Sevyn, Xavier; an adoring aunty to many; and a dear friend to many more.

A memorial service to celebrate Beulah's life will be held on Monday, November 20th, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church @ 14908 Main St, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Friends and family are invited to the viewing at 11am, with the service to begin at 12 noon. Reception/ repast to follow the service at St Mary of the Assumption Msgr. Hughes Family Life Center @ 4610 Largo Rd.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all those who have offered their support during this difficult time. Your thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness are deeply appreciated.

Beulah passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10th, 2023. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. May she rest in eternal peace.